
MEW YCRK. p . F.COLLIER 



THE 



Golden Treasure, 



PRATER; 



A MANUAL OF CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS, 



Ret. Bernaed O'Reilly, L.D. 

(layal.) 



^yOF COA/, 



NEW YORK 
PETER F. COLLIER 

38 Paek Place. 



18T8. 



The Library 
op Congress 

washington 



The Golbex Treasury of Prayer, by the 
Rev. BERNARD O'REILLY, is hereby approved 
and commended to the faithful of the Archdio- 
cese. 

THOMAS S. PRESTON, 

Yicar-Geneml and Chancellor. 

New York, Feb. 27, 1878. 



Copyright, 1878, by Peter F. Collier, 



LC Control Number 



New Yoi 




tmp96 029088 



NOTE. 



The Movable Feasts comprised in the follow- 
ing table depend, for the most part, on the feast 
of Easter. Now, the first general council of 
Nice, held in 325, decided that Easter, or the 
solemnity of the Resurrection, should be cele- 
brated on the first Sunday after the full moon 
(the 14th day of the moon) which occurs on or 
next after the 21st day of March, then believed 
to be the day of the spring equinox. 

Hence, when the full moon happens to fall on 
the 20th instead of the 21st of March, the Sunday 
immediately following is not Easter Sunday, but 
the Sunday next after the 18th of April, which 
coincides with the next full moon. 



(Table of ^lovable JeitftA 



c 

s— — ' 

- - 
~ — 


>> 
, ■a 
_= '-- 

<-= 

i 


SB ~ 


0 

'i? 
< 


6s| 


~ Z 

So 


1878 


Mar. 6 


April 21 


May 


30 


June 9 


7 

Dec. 1 


1S79 


Feb. 26 


April 13 May 22 


June 1 


~v,~>\- on 

_> On . OU 


1SSO 


Feb. 11 


Mar. 28 May 


6 


May 16 




1SS1 


31 ar. 4 


April 17 


May 26 


J une 5 


Nov. 27 


1 882 


Feb. 22 


April 9 


May 15 


May 2S 


Dec 3 


1883 


Feb. 7 


Mar. 25 


May 


3 


May 13 


Dec. 2 


1884 


Feb. 27 


April 13 May 22 


J unc 1 


Nov. 30 


1885 


Feb. 18 


April 5 May 14 


May 24 


Nov, 29 


1SS6 


Mar. 10 


April 25 June 


3 


June 13 


Nov. 2S 


1S87 


Feb. 23 


April 10 


May 


19 


May 29 


Nov. 27 




Feb. 15 


April 1 


May 


10 


May 20 


Dec. 2 


1889 


Mar. 6 


April 21 May 


30 


June 9 


Dec. 1 


1890 


Feb. 19 


April 6 May 


15 


May 25 


Nov. 30 


1891 


Feb. 11 


Mar. 29 May 




May 17 


Nov. 29 


1892 


Mar. 2 


April 17 


May 


26 


June 5 


Nov. 27 


1893 


Feb. 15 


April 2 May 


11 


May '21 


Dec. 3 


1894 


Feb. 7 


Mar. 25 May 


3 


May 13 


Dec. 2 


1895 


Feb. 27 


April 14 May 


23 


June 2 


Dec. 1 


1896 


Feb. 19 


April 51 May 


14 


May 24 


Xov. 29 


1897 


Mar. 4 


April 18 May 


27 


June 6 


Xov. 28 


1898 


Feb. 23 


April 10 May 


19 


May 29 


Nov. 27 


1899 


Feb. 15 


April 2 May 


11 


May 21 


Dec. 3 


1900 


Feb. 28 


April 15 May 


24 


June 3 


Dec. 2 



iv 



JANUARY. 



V 



1 t CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD. 
2,t Octave of S. Stephen. 

3 f Octave of S. John. 

4 t Octave of holy Innocents. 

5 -f Vigil of Epiphany. 

6 f EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD. 

7 Of the Octave of Epiphany. 

8 Of the Octave. 
9;Of the Octave. 

10 Of the Octave. 

11 Of the Octave. 

12 Of the Octave. 

13 1 Octave of Epiphany. 

14 3. Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers. 

15 S. Paul, first Hermit. 

16, S. Marcellus, Pope and Martyr. 
17-S. Anthony, Abbot, 
18jChair of St. Peter, at Rome. 

19 S. Canute, King of Den. Martyr. 

20 SS. Fabian and Sebastian, Martyrs. 

21 S. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr. 
22,SS. Vincent and Anastasius, Martyrs. 
23|Espousals of the B. V. Mary. 

24 S. Timothy, Bishop and Martyr. 

25 Conversion of S. Paul, Apostle. 

26 S. Pol3 r carp, Bishop and Martyr. 

27 S. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor. 
28,S. Raymund of Pennafort, Confessor. 

29 S. Francis of Sales, Bishop and Dbctcr. 

30 S. Martina, Virgin and Martyr. 
311S. Peter Nolasco, Confessor. 



On the 2d Sunday after Epiphany, The most 
Holy name of JESUS. 

N. B. The days marked with a f are days of 
Plenary Indulgence. 



vi 



FEBRUARY. 



1 S. Ignatius, Bishop and Martyr. 

2 f Purification of the B. V. Mary. 
3,f S. Blase, Bishop and Martyr. 

4 t S. Andrew Corsini, Bishop. 

5 t S. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr. 

6 f S. Dorothy, Virgin and Martyr. 
7 if S. Romuald, Abbot. 

8 f S. John of Martha, Confessor. 

9 f S. Apollonia, Virgin and Martyr. 
10S. Scholastica, Virgin. 

llj&S\ Saturninus, and his Companions, Martyrs. 
12j& Meletius, Patriarch of Antioch, Confessor. 
13 p. Catharine of Ricci, Virgin. 
14jS. Valentine, Priest and Martyr. 

15 SS. Faustinus and Jovita, Martyrs. 

16 \S. Onesimus, Bisho]) of Ephesus, Martyr. 

17 & Theodulus, Martyr. 

18 S. Simeon, Bishop of Jerusalem, and Martyr. 

19 S. Mansuetus, Bishop of Milan, and Confessor. 

20 !& Eucherius, Bishop and Confessor, 

21 j& Severianus, Bishoj) and Martyr. 
22! Chair of St. Peter, at Antioch. 

23j( Vigil.) S. Peter Damian, Bishop and Doctor. 

24 S. Matthias, Apostle, in leapt years on the 25. 

25 \S. Felix, Pope and Confessor. 

26 ! &. Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria, Confessor. 

27 \S. Leander, Bishop of Seville, Confessor. 

28 S. Romanics, Abbot. 

29. & Oswald, Bishop of Worcester, Confessor. 



On Friday after Quinquag. Sund., Passion of 
our Lord. 

after the 1st Sund. of Lent, Crown of 

Thorns of our Lor.d. 

after the 2d Sund. of Lent, Spear and 

Nails of our Lord. 



MARCH. 



vii 



' l\S. Albimis, Bishop and Confessor. 

2 IS. Simplicius, Pope and Confessor. 

S,S. Cunegunda, Virgin* 

4 S. Casimir, Confessor. 

5 IS. PI locos, Martyr. 

6 SS. Victor and Comp. Martyrs. 

7jS. Thomas of Aquino, Conf. and Doctor. 

8|S. John of God, Confessor. 

9 S. Frances, Widow. 
10 ; The Forty Martyrs of Sebaste. 
ll\S. Eulogius, Priest and Martyr. 

12 S. Gregory, the Great, Pope and Doctor. 

13 6 r . Euphrasia, Virgin. 

14 p. Matilda, Widow. 

15 S. Longinus, Martyr. 
161 S. Abraham, Hermit. 

17 S. Patrick, Bishop, Apostle of Ireland. 

18 S. Gabriel, Archangel. 

19 S. Joseph, Spouse of the B. V. Mary. 
20' S. Cuthbert, Bishop and Confessor. 

21 S. Benedict, Abbot. 

22 S. Basil, Priest and Martyr. 

23 S. Turibius, Bishop of Lima, Confessor. 

24 S. Simeon, Martyr. 

25 t ANNUNCIATION of the B. V. Mary. 

26 f S. Ludger, Bishop and Confessor. 

27 t S. John, Hermit. 

28,t aS t . Gontran, King and Confessor. 

29 f S. Cyrillus, Beacon and Martyr. 

30 f S. John Climacns, Abbot. 
3li f S. Balbina, Virgin. 



On Friday after the M Sunday of Lent, Five 
Wounds of our Lord. 

after the 4th Sund. of Lent, The most precious 

Blood of our Lord. 

after Passion Sund. the feast of the Compas- 
sion of" the B. V. Mary. 



APRIL. 



1 t &. Hugh, Bishop of Grenoble, Confessor. 

2 S. Francis of Paula, Confessor. 
SS. Richard, Bishop and Confessor. 

4 S. Isidor, Bishop of Seville, and Doctor. 

5 S. Vincent Ferrier, Confessor. 

6 S. Celestine Z, Pope and Co?fesso7\ 

7 S. Hegesippm, Confessor. 

8 S. Dionysius, Bishop of Corinth. 

9 S. Mary of Cleophas, sister of the B. V. Mary. 

10 S. Macarius, Bishop of Antioch. and Confessor. 

11 S. Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor. 
12 \S. Victor, Martyr. 

13 S. Hermenegild, Martyr. 

14 SS. Tiburtius, Valerian and Maximus, Martyrs. 
I 15 SS. Basilissa and Anastasia, Martyrs. 

! 16 S. Lambert, Martyr. 

17 S. Anicetus, Pope and Martyr. 

18 S. Perfectics, Priest and Martyr. 

19 S. Timon, Deacon and Martyr. 

20 S. Agnes, Virgin, 

21 S. Anselm, Bishop of Canterbury, & Doctor. 

22 SS. Soter and Caius, Popes and Martyrs. 

23 S. George, Martyr. 
21 S. Fidelis, Martyr. 

25 S. Mark, Evangelist. 

26 SS. Cletus & Marcellinus, Popes and Martyrs. 

27 & John. Abbot and Confessor. 
2S S. Vitalis, Martyr. 

29 S. Peter, Martyr. 

30 S. Catharine of Sienna, Virgin. 



On the third Sunday after Easter, Patronage 
of S. Joseph. 



MAY. 



ix 



1 SS. Philip and James, Apostles. 

2 S. Athanasms, Bishop of Alexandria, & Doct. 

3 Finding of the Holy Cross. 

4 S. Monica, Widow. 

5 S. Pius V., Pope and Confessor. 

6 S. John the Apostle, before the Latin Gate. 

7 S. Stanislas, Bishop and Martyr. 

8 Apparition of S. Michael, the Archangel. 

9 S. Gregory Nazianzen, Bishop and Doctor. 

10 S. Antoninus, Bishop of Florence. 

11 S. Mamertus, Bishop of Vienna, and Confessor. 

12 SS. Nereus and Achileus, Martyrs. 

13 S. John the Silent, Hermit. 

14 S. Boniface, Martyr. 

15 SS. Torqnatus and his Companions, Martyrs. 

16 S. Ubaldus, Bishop. 

17 S. Paschal Baylon, Confessor. 

18 S. Venantius, Martyr. 

19 S. Peter, Celestine,*Pope. 

20 S. Bernardin of Sienna, Confessor, 

21 & Valens, Bishop and Martyr. 

22 S. John Nepomucen, Martyr. 

23 S. DeskJerius, Bishop and Martyr. 

24 Feast of B. V. M. as help of Christians. 

25 S. Gregory VII., Pope and Confessor. 

26 S. Philip of Neri, Confessor. 

27 S. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi, Virgin. 

28 S. Germanns, Bishop of Paris, and Confessor. 

29 S. Maximus, Bishop of Triers, and Confessor. 

30 S. Felix, Pope and Martyr. 

31 S. Petronilla, Virgin. 



On Friday next to the Octave of Corpus Christi, 
the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 



X 



JUNE. 



] 

llSL Pamjrfrilus, Priest and Martyr, 

2.SS. Marcellus, Peter and Erasmus, Martyrs. 

3S. Clotilda, Queen of France. 

4 S. Francis Carraeciolo, Confessor. 

5 S. Boniface, Bishop, Apostle of Germany. 

6 S. Norbert, Bishop of Magdeburg. 

7 5. Robert, Abbot. 

8 S. Jledardvs, Bishop and Confessor. 

9 SS. Primus and Felicianus, Martyrs. 

10 S. Margaret, Queen of Scotland/ 
' 11 S. Barnabas,' Apostle. 

i 12 S. John a S. Facundo, Confessor. 
' 13 S. Anthony of Padua^ Confessor. 

11 S. Basil the Great, Bishop and Doctor. 

15 SS. Vitus. Modestus and Crescentia, Martyrs. 

1 16 S. John Francis Regis. Confessor. 

■ IT S. AvituSj Priest and Confessor. 

! 18 SS. Marcus and Marcellianus, Martyrs. 

, 19 S. Juliana of Falconieri, Virgin. 

' 20 S. Silvering, Pope and Martyr. 

: 21 S. Aloysius Gonzaga, Confessor. 

I 22 S. Paulinus, Bishop of Nola. 
23 Vigil of S. John the Baptist, 
21 Nativity of S. John the Baptist. 

1 25 S. William. Abbot. 

: 26 SS. John and Paul, Martyrs. 

27 Of the Octave of S. John the Baptist. 

28 (Vigil.) S. Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, & Mar. 

29 f SS. Peter and Paul, Apostles. 

30 f Commemoration of S. Paul. 



JULY. xi 



j 1 1 Octave cf S. John the Baptist. 

2 t Visitation of the B. V. Mary. 

3 t Of the Octave of SS. Peter and Paul. 

4 + Of the Octave. 

5 t Of the Octave. 

(5 t Octave of SS. Peter and Paul. 

7 S. Leo II.. Pope and Confessor, 
j 8 S. Elizabeth, Queen of Portugal. 
I 9 S. CyrUlus, Biahojj of Gortyna] Jlartyr. 
10 The Seven Brothers^, Martyrs. 
! 11 S. Pius I., Pope and Martyr. 

12 S. John Gualbert, Abbot. 

13 S. Anaeletus. Pope and Martyr. 

14 S. Bonaventure. Bishop nnd'Doctor. 

15 S. Henry. Emperor. Confessor. 

16 B. Virgin Mart of Mount Carmel. 
j IT S. Alexius. Confessor. 

18 S. Camillas of Lellis, Confessor. 

19 S. Vincent of Paul, Confessor. 

20 S. Jerom JEmilian. Confessor. 

21 S. Praxedes. Virgin. 

22 S. Mary Magdalen. Penit. 

23 S. Apollinaris. Bishop and Martyr. 

24 Vigil of S. James. Ap. 
: 25 S. James, Apostle. 

I 26 S. Ann, Mother of the B. V. Mary. 
27 S. Pantaleon. Martyr. 

25 SS. Nazarius, Celsus, etc.. Martyrs. 

29 S. Martha. Virgin. 

30 SS. Abdon and'Sennen. Martyrs. 

31 S. Ignatius, Founder of the Society of Jesus. 



xii 



AUGUST. 



I 

1 S. Peter's Chains. 

2 S. Alphonsus M. Liguori. Bishop and Doctor. 

3 Finding of the Relics of S. Stephen. 

4 S. Doimnickj Confessor. 

5 Dedication of S. Mary ad Xives. 

6 Transfiguration of our Lord. 

7 S. Cajetan, Confessor. 

8 SS. CyriaeuSj Largus & Smaragdus, Martyrs. 

9 Vigil of S. Lawrence. 

10 S. Lawrence. Martyr. 

11 Of the Octave of S. Lawrence. 

12 S. Clara. Virgin. 

13 Of the Octave of S. Lawrence. 

14 Vigil of Assumption, with fast. 

15 + ASSUMPTION OF THE B. V. MART. 

16 f S. Hyacinth, Confessor. 
IT + Octave of S. Lawrence. 

18 + Of the Octave of Assumption. 

19 f Of the Octave of Assumption. 

20 + S. Bernard, Abbot and Doctor. 

21 f S. Jane Frances de Chantal, Widow. 

22 f Octave of the Assumption. 

23 (Vigil) S. Philip Beniti, Confessor. 

24 S. Bartholomew, Apostle. 

25 S. Louis, King of France, Confessor. 

26 S. ZephyrinnSj Pope and Martyr. 

27 S. Joseph Casalanz, Confessor. 

28 S. Augustine. Bishop and Doctor. 

29 Beheading of St. John the Baptist. 

30 S. Rose of Lima. Virgin. 

31 S. Raymund Xonnatus, Confessor. 



On the Sunday within the Oct. of the Assumption, 
the Feast of S. Joachim, the Father of the B. V. 
Mary. 



SEPTEMBER. xiii 



ljS. Giles, Abbot. 

2 S. Stephen, King of Hungary, Confessor. 

3 Simeon Stylites, Confessor. 
4'& Rosalia, Virgin. 

5 S. Lawrence Justinian, Bishop) of Venice. 

6!/S r . Onesiphorns, Martyr. 

l\S. Regina, Virgin and Martyr. 

8;f Nativity of the B. Virgin Mary. 

9 k Of the Octave of the Nativity of B. V. M. 
10 f S. Nicholas Tolentino, Confessor, 
lilt Of the Octave. 
12 t Of the Octave. 
13 1 Of the Octave. 

14 1 Exaltation of the Holy Cross. 
15jt Octave of the Nativity. 

16 SS. Cornelius and Cyprian, Bishops & Martyrs. 

17 Stigmata of S. Francis. 

18 S. Joseph a Cupertino, Confessor. 

19 SS. Januarius, Bishop, & Companions, Marts. 

20 (Vigil.) SS. Eustachius and Comp., Martyrs. 

21 S. Matthew, Apostle. 

22 S. Thomas of Villanova, Confessor. 

23 S. Linus, Pope and Martyr. 

24 Our Lady of Mercy. 

25 $. Cleophas, Martyr. 

26 SS. Cyprian and Justinn, Martyrs. 

27 SS. Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs. 

28 S. Wenceslaus, Duke of Bohemia, Martyr. 

29 t S. Michael, Archangel. 

30! t S. Jerome, Priest and Doctor. 



On the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity, 
the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary ; and the 
Sunday following, the Feast of the Seven Do- 
lours. 



xiv 



OCTOBER. 



1 + S. Remigins, Bishop. 

2 j The Guardian Angels. 

3 f S. Candidas, Martyr. 

1 f S. Francis of Assisium, Confessor. 

5 f SS. Placidus and Companions. Martyrs. 

6 j S. Bruno, Confessor. 

T S. Mark, Pope and Confessor. 
S S. Bridget, Widow. 

9 SS. Dionysius and Companions, Martyrs. 

10 S. Francis Borgia. Confessor. 

11 S. Germanus, Bishop and Martyr. 
! 12 S. Wilfrid, Bishop and Confessor. 

13 S. Edward. King of England, Confessor. 

14 S. Callistus. Pope and Martyr. 

15 S. Teresa, Virgin. 

16 S. Lullus, Bishop of Merits. 

17 S. Hedwige, Widow. 

18 S. Luke, Evangelist. 

19 S. Peter of Alcantara. Confessor. 

20 S. John Cantius, Confessor. 

21 S. Hilarion, Abbot. 

2:2 6'. Mark, Bishop of Jerusalem. Martyr. 

23 S. Ignatius, Bishop of Constantinople, Martyr. 

34 S. Raphael. Archangel. 

25 SS. Chrysanthus and Daria. Martyrs. 

26 S. Evaristus, Pope and Martyr. 

27 Vigil of SS. Simon and Jnde. 

2^ SS. Simon and Jude. Apostles. 

29 S. Theodoras, Abbot. 

30 5. Serapion, Bishop and Confessor. 
31. Vigil of All Saints, with fast. 



On the 1st Sunday of October, the Feast of the 
Holy Rosary of the B. V. Mary : and on the l 
3d Sunday, the Feast of the Maternity of the 
same B. Virgin. 



NOVEMBER. 



xv 



1 t FEAST OF ALL SAINTS. 

2 f Commemoration of all Souls. 

3 t Of the Octave of All Saints. 

4 f S. Charles Borromeo, Bishop and Confessor. 

5 f Of the Octave. 

6 f Of the Octave. 

7 f Of the Octave. 

8 t Octave of All Saints. 

9 Dedication of the Lateran Church. 
10'S. Andrew Avellino, Confessor. 

11 S. Martin, Bishop of Tours. 

12 S. Martin, Pope and Martyr. 

13 S. Didacus, Confessor. 

14 S. Stanislas Kostka, Confessor. 

15 8. Gertrude, Virgin. 

16 S. Edmund, Bishop and Confessor. 

17 S. Gregory Thaumaturges, Bishop. 

18 Dedicat. of the Churches of SS. Peter & Paul. 

19 S. Elizabeth of Hungarv, Widow. 

20 S. Felix of Valois, Confessor. 

21 Presentation of the B. V. Mary. 

22 S. Caecilia, Virgin and Martyr. 

23 S. Clement, Pope and Martyr. 

24 S. John of the Cross, Confessor. 

25 S. Catharine, Virgin and Martyr. 

26 S. Peter, Bishop of Alexandria, and Martyr. 

27 S. Severinus, Hermit. 

28 S. Gregory III., Pope and Confessor. 

29 Vigil of S. Andrew. 
30;S. Andrew, Apostle. 



On the 2d Sunday of Nov. Patronage of the 
B. V. Mary. 

The 1st Sunday of Advent, is the next after the 
26th day of November. 



DECEMBER. 



1 S. Eli gins, Bishop and Confessor. 

2 S. Bibiana, Virgin and Martyr. 

3 S. Francis Xavier, Confessor. 

4 S. Peter Chvsologus, Bishop and Doctor. 

5 S. Sabbas, Abbot. 

6 S. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra. 

7 S. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, and Doctor. 

8 + Conception of the B. V. Mary. 

9 f Of the Octave of the Concept, of B. V. M. 
10 f Of the Octave. 

11 1 S. Damasus, Pope and Martyr. 

12 t Of the Octave. 

13 f S. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr. 

14 t Of the Octave. 

15 t Octave of the Conception of the B. V. Mary. 

16 S. Eusebius, Bishop and Martyr. 
IT S. Olympias, Widow. 

18 Expect, of the Deliv. of the B. V. M. 

19 6'. Timothy, Beacon and Martyr. 

20 Vigil of S. Thomas. 

21 S. Thomas, Apostle. 

22 & Ischyrimi. Martyr. 

23 p. Victoria, Virgin and Martyr. 

24jVi°;il of the Nativity of onr Lord, yith fast. 

25 NATIVITY OF OUR LORD. 

26; S. Stephen, first Martyr. 

27 3. John, Apostle and Eyangelist. 

28 Holy Innocents. 

29 S. Thomas. Bishop of Canterbury, Martyr. 

30 Of the Octave of the Nativ. of onr Lord. 

31 S, Sylvester, Pope and Confessor, 



ALPHABETICAL LIST 



OF FEASTS AND SAINTS' DAYS, 

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN CALENDAR. 

For the facility of referring to the Date of Letters, and 
for otJier purposes. 

Abdon and Sennen, mm July 30 

Agatha, v. m Feb. 5 

Agnes, v. m Jan. 21 

Alexius, c. July 17 

All Saints Nov. 1 

All Souls .....Nov. 2 

Aloysius Gonzaga, c June 21 

Alphonsus Liguori, b. c. d Aug. 2 

.Ambrose, b. c. d Dec. 7 

Anacletus. Pope, m July 13 

Andrew, Apostle Nov. 30 

Andrew Avellino, c Nov. 10 

Andrew Corsini, b. c Feb. 4 

Angela Merici.. May 31 

Anicetus. Pope, m April 17 

Ann. Mother of b. v. m July 26 

Anselm, b. c. d April 21 

Anthony, Ab Jan. 17 

Anthony of Padua, c June 13 

Antoninus, b. c May 10 

Apollinaris, b. m July 23 

Apollonia, v. m Feb. 9 

Athanasius, b. c. d May 2 

Augustine, b. c. d Aug. 28 

Barnabas, Apostle June 11 

Bartholomew, Apostle Aug. 24 

xvii 



xviii ' ALPHABETICAL LIST OF 



Basil, b. c. d June 14 

Benedict, Ab. c Mar. 21 

Bernard, Ab. d A 112;. 20 

Bernardine, c May 20 

Bibiana, v. Dec. 2 

Blase, b. m Feb. 3 

Bonaventure, b. c. d July 14 

Boniface, m May 14 

Bridget, Widow Oct. 8 

Bruno, c Oct. 6 

Cajetan, c Aug. 7 

Callistus, Pope, m .Oct. 14 

Camillus de Lellis, c July 18 

Canute, m Jan. 19 

Casimir, c .Mar. 4 

Catharine, v. m Nov. 25 

» Catharine of Sienna, v April 30 

Cecilia, v. m .-. . .Nov. 22 

Charles Borromeo, b. c Nov. 4 

Christmas Day Dec. 25 

Chrysanthus and Daria Oct. 25 

Circumcision of our Lord Jan. 1 

Clare, v ' . . .Aug. 12 

Clement, Pope, m... Nov. 23 

Cletus and Marcel, pp. mm April 26 

Cornelius and Cyprian, mm Sept. 16 

Cosmas and Damian, mm Sept. 27 

Cyprian and Justina, mm Sept. 26 

Cyriacus, etc., mm Aug. 8 

Damasus, Pope, c Dec. 11 

Dennis, etc., mm Oct. 9 

Didacus, c Nov. 13 

Dominic, c Aug. 4 

Do roth v, v. m Feb. 6 

Edward, King, c Oct. 13 

Elizabeth of Portugal, Widow July 8 

" " Hungary. Widow Nov. 19 

Epiphany of our Lord Jan. 6 

Epiphany, Octave of Jan. 13 

Eusebius, b. m Dec. 16 

Eustace, etc. , mm Sept. 20 

Everistus, Pope, m Oct. 26 

Exaltation of the Holy Cross Sept. 14 

Fabian and Sebastian, mm Jan. 20 

Faustinus and Jovita, mm Feb. 15 

Felix, p. m Mav 30 



FEASTS AND SAINTS' DAYS. xix 

Felix of Valois, c Nov. 20 

Fidelis, m April 24 

Finding of Holy Cross May 3 

Frances, Widow Mar. 9 

Francis of Assisi, c Oct. 4 

" Stigmas of Sept. 17 

" Borgia, c Oct. 10 

" Caracciolo, c June 4 

" Paula, c... April 2 

" of Sales, b. c. d Jan. 29 

" Xavier, c Dec. 3 

Gabriel, Archangel Mar. 18 

George, m April 23 

Gertrude, v Nov. 15 

Giles, Ab Sept. 1 

Gregory the Great, p. c. d Mar. 12 

Nazianzen, b. c. d .May 9 

" Thaumaturgus, b. c Nov. 17 

VII., p. c May 25 

Guardian Angels Oct. 2 

Hedwige, Widow '. Oct. 17 

Henry, Emperor, c July 15 

Hermenegild, m April 13 

Hilarion, a. b . Oct. 21 

Hilary, b. c Jan. 14 

Hyacinth, c Aug. 16 

Ignatius, b. m Feb. 1 

" of Loyola, c July 31 

Innocents, Holy Dec. 28 

" " Oct Jan. 4 

Irenaeus, b. m June 28 

Isidore, b. c. d April 4 

James, Apostle July 25 

Jane Frances de Chantal Aug. 21 

Januarius, etc., mm Sept. 19 

Jerome, c. d Sept. 30 

^Emillian, c .July 20 

John. Apostle and Evan Dec. 27 

" before the Latin gate May 6 

" Baptist, Behead, of Aug. 29 

" " Nativity of June 24 

" " Octave of July 1 

" Cantius, c Oct. 20 

" Chrvsostom, b. c. D Jan. 27 

" of the Cross, c Nov. 24 

" of God, c Mar. 8 



xx ALPHABETICAL LIST OF 

John Lateran, Ded. of Nov. 9 

" a S. Facundo, c June 12 

" Francis Regis, c June 18 

" of Martha, c Feb. 8 

" Gualbert, a. c July 12 

" Nepomucen, m May 22 

" and Paul, mm June 26 

Joseph, c. Spouse of b. v. m Mar. 19 

44 Casalanz, c Aug. 27 

" Cupertino, c Sept. 18 

Juliana Faleonieri, v June 19 

Lady de Mercede, Our B Sept. 24 

" ad Nives, Our .< Aug. 5 

Lawrence, m Aug. 10 

" Justinian, b. c Sept. 5 

Leo the Great, p. c. d ..April 11 

" II., Pope, c June 23 

Leonard of Porto Maurizio Nov. 26 

Louis, King, c Aug. 25 

Linus, Pope, m Sept. 23 

Lucy, v. m Dec. 13 

Luke, Evangelist Oct. 18 

Magdalen, Mary, Pen July 22 

" of Pazzi, v May 27 

Marcellinus, etc., mm June 2 

Marcellus. p. m Jan. 16 

Marcus, etc., mm June 18 

Margaret, Queen, Widow June 10 

B. Margaret Mary Alacoque Oct. 25 

Mark, Evangelist April 25 

" Pope, c Oct. 7 

" and Marcellian, mm June 18 

Martha, v .July 29 

Martin, b. c Nov. 11 

" Pope, m Nov. 12 

Martina, v. m Jan. 30 

Martyrs, Forty Mar. 10 

Mary, B. V., of Mt. Carmel July 16 

" ad Nives Aug. 5 

" Annunciation of Mar. 25 

44 Assumption of Aug. 15 

" Octave of Aug. 22 

" de Mercede Sept. 24 

" Immac. Concep. of Dec. 8 

" Octave of Dec. 15 

" Espousals of Jan. 23 



FEASTS AND SAINTS DAYS. xxi 

Mary, B. V. Expec. Del. of Dec. 18 

Help of Christians ,May 24 

" Nativity of Sept. 8 

" Octave. Sept. 15 

" Presentation of Nov. 21 

" Purification of Feb. 2 

" Visitation of July 2 

Mathias, Apostle Feb. 24 

" Ap., leap year Feb. 25 

Matthew, Ap., and Evan Sept. 21 ! 

Michael, Apparition of May 8 

" Arch., Dedication of Sept. 29 

Monica, Widow May 4 

Nazarius, etc., mm July 28 

Nereus, etc., mm May 12 

Nicholas of Tolentino, c Sept. 10 

Nicholas of Myra b. c Dec. 6 

Norbert, b. c. June 3 

Pantaleon, m July 27 

Paschal Baylon, c May 17 

Patrick, b. c Mar. 17 

Paul, Conversion of Jan. 25 

" Commemoration of June 30 

" First Hermit, c Jan. 15 

" of the Cross April 28 

Paulinus, b. c June 22 

Peter's Chains . . Aug. 1 

" Chair at Autioch Feb. 22 

" Chair at Rome Jan. 18 

Peter, Martyr April 29 

" of Alcantara, c Oct. 19 

" of Alexandria Nov. 26 

" Celestinus, p. c. . . , May 19 

" Chrysologus, b. c. d Dec. 4 

" Damian, b. c. d Feb. 23 

" Nolasco, c Jan. 31 

" and Paul, App June 29 

" " Dedication Nov. 16 

Philip Beniti , c Aug. 23 

" Neri, c May 23 

" and James, App. May 1 

Pius V., Pope, c May 1 

ik L, Pope, m July 11 

Placidus, etc., mm Oct. 5 

Polycarp, b. m Jan. 23 

Praxedes, v July 21 



xxii FEASTS AND SAINTS' DAYS. 

Primus and Felicianus, mm June 9 

Raphael, Arch Oct. 24 

Raymund of Pennaf ort J an. 23 

" Nonnatus, c Aug. 31 

Remigius, b. c , Oct. 1 

Romuald,Ab Feb. 7 

Rose of Lima, v Aug. 30 

S abbas, Ab Dec, 5 

Saviour's Church, ded. of Nov. 9 

Scholastica. v Feb. 10 

Seven Brothers, mm July 10 

Sylvester, Pope, c Dec. 31 

Silverius, Pope, m June 20 

Simeon, b. m .Feb. 18 

Simon and Jude, App .Oct. 28 

Soter and Cains, pp. mm April 22 

Stanislaus Kostka, c Nov. 14 

" b. m Mav 7 

Stephen, Proto-Martyr Dec. 26 

" Octave of Jan. 2 

w Finding of Relics Aug. 3 

" Pope, m Aug. 2 

" King, c Sept. 2 

Teresa, v Oct. 15 

Thomas, App ..Dec. 21 

" of Aquin., c. d Mar. 7 

" of Canterbury, b. m Dec. 29 

" of Yillanova, b. c Sept. 22 

Tiburtius, etc., mm April 14 

Timothy, b. m Jan. 24 

Titus, b". c Feb. 6 

Transfiguration of our Lord Aug. 6 

Ubaldus, b. c May 16 

Valentine, m Feb. 14 

Yenantius, m May 18 

Vincent of Paul, c July 19 

Ferrer, c April 5 

" and Anastasius, mm June 22 

Vitalis, m April 28 

Vitu?, Modestus, etc., mm June 15 

Wenceslaus, 3i Sept. 28 

William, Ab. c June 25 

Zephyrinus, Pope, m Aug. 26 



PEEFACE. 



THE labor of compiling this " Golden Treas- 
ury of Prayer " was undertaken at the 
earnest solicitation of the publisher, and, 
haying accepted the task, the writer has en- 
deavored to make of it a labor of love. In 
the daily exercises for morning and evening, 
in the prayers for Mass, in the instructions 
and directions scattered through the book, as 
well as in the choice of the special practices 
of devotion, he has been guided by his own 
knowledge of the need of souls. 

In the " Ordinary of the Mass " taken from 
the " Layman's Ritual " republished in Xew 
York, in 1834, from the London edition of 
1698, he has preserved the original English 
version of the Scripture passages, as also in 
the remarks on the Ceremonies of Baptism. 

Our - forefathers, in the good old ages of 
robust faith and generous practical piety, 
were wont to attach most importance to prayer 
books which were, in the main, a selection 
from the Canonical Services, as performed by 

xxiii 



xxiv 



PREFACE. 



monks in the monastery churches, or by can- 
ons in cathedral or collegiate churches. Hence 
these books were called " Books of Hours/' 
because the offices were sung at stated hours, 
and the custom was for all persons who were 
free to do so, to go to church when the chap- 
ter bell rang at the approach of the hour ; or, 
if they could not go, they deemed it a pleas- 
ure and a duty to recite the office at home. 
Our people are now restricted to the daily at- 
tendance at Mass, and at Vespers and Bene- 
diction on Sundays and festivals. 

In those bygone times the majority of the 
people in town and country were far better 
acquainted with the Psalms and the other 
books of Holy Writ, from which these church 
offices were composed, than we in the nine- 
teenth century are aware ; far more so, in 
truth, than the immense majority of our pop- 
ulations even in Bible-worshiping lands. 
Hence the intense delight which our fore- 
fathers felt in following understandingly the 
sense of every Psalm and Lesson, or the sub- 
lime and touching service of the Mass, 
whether offered for the living or the dead, or 
varied by the solemnities incidental to the 
festivals throughout the year. 

Even for such as could not read, the very 



PREFACE. 



XXV 



church edifice in which they canie to worship, 
inside as well as outside, with its paintings 
and its sculptures, was a book legible to the 
eye and the heart, and whose lessons were 
lovingly conned from early childhood. They 
knew for what a divine Presence the church 
was built, for what a solemn and impressive 
ceremonial all its parts were arranged, and its 
decorations and furniture designed. Every 
movement of the priest at the altar during 
the restful early sacrifice, or amid the splen- 
dor and the chants of High Mass, or when the 
Tantum Ergo Sacramentum of the evening 
Benediction pealed through the aisles, had 
for every worshiper its deep familiar signifi- 
cance, though kneeling only in the remotest 
corner of porch or transept or apse, and 
catching only distant glimpses of the sanc- 
tuary with its white-robed ministers, or of the 
tabernacle with its lights and its incense. 

We would fain induce all classes of our 
people, the youth especially of all classes, to 
take a like deep and loving interest in the- 
Mass, in its soul-stirring prayers, in the preg- 
nant memories which almost every sentence 
recalls, in the magnificent horizons, reaching 
far into the unseen and eternal world, which 
every part of the divine ritual opens to the 



xxvi 



PREFACE. 



eye of faith. Oh ! what could we not obtain 
while kneeling with illuminated minds and 
sorrowing hearts beneath the shadow of the 
Cross and the eye of the Crucified, during 
even a Low Mass ! What an exhaustless 
mine for devotion, for heartfelt prayer, for 
most instructive meditation, have we not in 
our Mass-book alone ! 

We have endeavored, therefore, to make 
of the Hidden God of our sanctuaries, the 
center of our instructions and devotions. Is 
not he the Reality around which our hearts 
are drawn daily during the ever-recurring la- 
bors, sorrows, and trials of our pilgrimage ? 
Is it not around him, in his unvailed glory ; 
that we hope to live in eternity ? So may he 
be to you, dear Reader, and to the author, the 
chief source of all light and happiness here 
and hereafter ! 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Table of Movable Feasts iv 

Roman Calendar v — xvi 

Alphabetical List of Feasts and Saints 1 Days, 

according to the American Calendar, .xvii — xxii 

Preface xxiii 

Holydays — Ember Days— Days of Fasting 
and" Abstinence— Indulgences for the 

United Slates 7 1—6 

What we have to know and believe 6 — 11 

Lay Baptism 11 

The Sign of the Cross 12 

Holy Water 14 



PART I. 

Daily Devotions. 

On Prayer 16—24 

Morning Prayer 25 — 40 

Another Form of Morning Prayer 41 — 45 

Special Prayers : The Memorare y Salve Re- 

gina, or " Hail, Holy Queen" 46 — 49 

Prayer on leaving home, and before begin- 
ning business ; for Professional Men and 

for "Working Men 50 — 51 

Grace before and after meals 51 

Evening Prayer c 53 — 71 

A short Form of Night Prayer . 72—78 

Ejaculatory Prayers for the Soul's need 

, throughout the day 79 — 95 

Devotions at Mass ; Instructions 96—100 

Prayers at Mass 101—147 

The Ordinary of the Mass 148 

Anthems Asperges and Yidi Aquam 148 — 150 

Prayer for the Constituted Authorities 151 

xxvii 



XXViii CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Mass* of the Blessed Trinity in Latin and 

English 156—208 



Mass for the Dead . . . . 209 

Doctrine and Practice : In the book of Ma- 

chabees 

In the early Church ; St. Ephrem, St. Am- 
brose, St. Augustine and his Mother, 
St. Gregory the Great; '-The Month's 
Mind, "Its Antiquity and Significance .. 209— 222 
What is peculiar to Masses for the Dead : 
the Mass on the day of Decease and 



Burial .- 223—237 

The Sequence, Dies Irae 227 

Collects for the " Month's Mind," etc 235 

The Anniversary or " Year's Mind " for 

the Dead. ./ 238—246 

The Quotidian or Daily Mass for the 

Dead 247 

The Burial Service for Adults 247—266 

for Children 266—289 

How to hear the Mass for the Dead 289—291 

Ceremonies used in Services for the 

Dead ; for Adults 291-296 

for Children 296 



PART II. 

Instructions and Devotions Relating to 

the Sacrament 296 

I. Baptism : That of Infants 301 

Adults 301—307 

Renewal of the Baptismal Promises 307—310 

Prayer to the Patron Saint of Baptism 310 

Necessity and Advantages of Ceremonies 
in the administration of the Sacra- 
ments 311 

Ceremonies used in Baptism 315 — 326 

II. Confirmation : In what Confirmation per- 

fects the Grace of Baptism ; Infused 
Habits : Gifts of the Holy Ghost, and 

what these really are 325 

Ceremonies uaecl in Confirmation 325—327 



CONTENTS. XXix 

PAGE 

Immediate Preparation for Confirmation. . . . 328 

Prayer before Confirmation 329 

Litany of the Hoi v Ghost 332 

After Confirmation 336 

III. The Sacrament of Penance. 

Inst ruction : The Brazen Serpent ; The 

Crucified 338-341 

How to excite One's Self to Contrition 341 

Examination of Conscience 349 

Ceremonies used in Penance 352 

Further helps {from Bishop Jfilner) 354 

Prayers after Confession 361 

IT. The Eucharist : Communion. 

Instructions 366 

Prayers before Communion 377 

Prayers after Communion 396 

Prayer of St. Ignatius Lovola : Anima 

" (Mristi 408 

Aspirations 409 

Litany of the Blessed Sacrament 415 

V. The Sacrament of Matrimony. 

Instructions 423 

The Rite of Matrimony 431 

The Nuptial Mass and Propitiare 436 

XI. The Sacrament of Extreme Unction. 

Instructions 445 

The Rite of Extreme Unction 448 

Instructions and Devotions for the Sick 460 

Litany for a Happy Death 470 

Prayers before and after Holy Viaticum .... 477 

Prayers before and after Extreme Unction. 483 

Litany for a Soul Departing 487 

Acts to be suggested to the Dying 497 

PART in. 

I. Devotions to the Most Holy Teikity. 

Litany of the M. H. Trinity 502 

A Universal Prayer 506 

II. Devotions to our Lord. 

Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart . . . 510 



XXX CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Litany of the Sacred Heart 511 

The Devout Soul's Eepair to the S. H 515 

Reparation of Honor to the S. H 516 

Prayer of St. Gertrude to the S. H 519 

Prayer of the Blessed Margaret Mary 520 

" " St. Alphonsus Liguori 521 

The Way of the Cross 524 

The Hymn, Jesu, dulcis ??iemo? 7 ia 542 

Prayers on the Five Wounds . . 545 

The Prayer En Ego, before a Crucifix 554 

Thirty Days' Prayer in Honor of the Passion 555 

A Visit to our Lady of Sorrows 561 

The Hymn Stabat Mater 563 

III. Devotions to Our Lady. 

Rosary of the B. V. M 568 

The Living Rosary 582 

The Scapular of Mount Carmel 585 

Act of Consecration to the Heart of Mary. . . 594 
The Blue Scapular of the Immaculate Con- 
ception 598 

A Prayer to our Lady of Lourdes 603 

TV. Devotions to the Saints. 

The Litany of the Saints 604 

Prayer of the Angel Guardian 621 

Novena to St. Joseph 621 

Efficacious Prayer to St. J oseph 632 

Prayer of St. Peter of Alcantara 633 

PART IY. 

Various Litanies and Occasional Devotions. 

The Litany of Hope 635 

" " St. Francis Xavier 638 

Pravers to St. Patrick 642 

to St. Teresa 644 

The Seven Penitential Psalms 644 

The Te Deum Laudamus 657 

Vespers or Evening Office 661 

Anthems to the B. V. M 673 

The Ave, Maris Stella 679 

The Veni, Creator Spiritus 68'2 

Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament. . . 684 



THE 

Golden Treasuky 

OF 

PRAYER. 



HOLIDAYS OF OBLIGATION, 

AN which there is an obligation of hearing 
V Mass and of abstaining from ' ' servile 
work." 

The circumcision of our Lord (Jan. 1) ; the 
Epiphany (Jan. 2) ; the Annunciation of the 
Blessed Virgin Mary (March 25) ; the Ascen- 
sion of our Lord ; Corpus Christi ; the As- 
sumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Aug. 
15) ; All Saints Day (Nov. 1) ; the Immaculate 
Conception (the Patronal Feast of all America, 
Dec. 8) ; the Nativity of our Lord, or Christ- 
mas Day (Dec. 25). 

Note.— The feasts of the Circumcision, Epiphany, 
Annunciation, and Corpus Christi, are not holidays of 



2 



HOLIDAYS OF DEVOTION. 



obligation in the dioceses of St. Lonis. Alton, Peoria, 
Chicago, Dubuque. Green Bay. La Crosse, Milwaukee, 
Nashville, Santa Fe, St. Joseph. St. Paul, New Orleans, 
Galveston. Little Bock, Mobile, Natchez. Natchitoches, 
San Antonio, and Brownsville, as well as in the Vicari- 
ates Apostolic of Arizona, Colorado, Indian Territory, 
Montana, and Nebraska. 

HOLIDAYS OF DEVOTION. 

" T\AYS of devotion" are certain days which 
U were formerly holidays of obligation. 
Although the Holy See has taken away the 
obligation of hearing Mass and of abstain- 
ing from servile work on these days, they 
ought still to be kept with solemnity. 

They are : the two days immediately follow- 
ing the feasts of Christmas, Easter, and Pen- 
tecost. 

Purification of B. Y. M. or Candlemas Day, 
Feb. 2. 

St. Matthias, Feb. 24. 

St. Joseph, Spouse of the B. Y. M., and Pa- 
tron of the Universal Church, March 19. 
Sts. Philip and James, May 1. 
The Finding of the Cross, May 3. 
Nativity of St. John the Baptist, June 24. 
St. James, Apostle, July 25. 
St, Anne, Mother of the B. Y. M., July 26. 
St. Laurence, Martyr, Aug. 10. 



E^TBER DAYS. 



8 



St. Bartholomew, Aug. 24. 



Nativity of B. V. M., Sept. 8. 
St. Matthew, " 21. 

St. Michael, " 29. 

Sts. Simon and Jnde, Oct, 28. 
St. Andrew, Apostle, Xov. 30. 
St. Thomas, Apostle, Dec. 21. 



BOGATJ02S DATS, 



( N which special and solemn supplication 



^ was formerly made throughout Christen- 
dom for the pardon of sins, for peace, for the 
fruits of the earth, and other necessities, were 
the three days before the feast of the Ascen- 
sion. In some Catholic countries it is still 
customary to make a public procession on pach 
of these days, in which all the clergy and peo- 
ple unite in chanting the litany of the saints, 
and then assist at a solemn Mass, 



RE three days (Wednesday, Friday, and 



Saturday) in one week devoted, at each 
of the four seasons of the year, to fasting and 
penance. They fall, respectively, next after 
the third Sunday of Advent, the first Sunday 
in Lent, Whitsunday, and the feast of the 
Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Sept. 14, 



EMBER DAYS 




4 INDULGENCES TO THE UNITED STATES. 



DAYS OF FASTING AND ABSTINENCE. 

1. Fasting days are those on which flesh, 
meat is forbidden, unless a dispensation be 
granted ; and only one meal with a collation 
is allowed to those who are bound to fast. 

They are, in the United States : All the 
week days in Lent (in some dioceses, the 
Fridays in Advent) ; the Ember Days ; the 
vigils or eves of Christmas, Whitsunday, and 
the Assumption. 

2. The days of abstinence are those on 
which the use of flesh-meat is forbidden ; they 
are : all Fridays in the year excepting Christ- 
mas Day when it falls on Friday ; and all fast- 
ing days of obligation on which the Holy See 
has not allowed the use of flesh-meat. 

Note.— Soldiers and sailors in the service of the Unit- 
ed States are dispensed from the law of abstinence 
throughout the year, except upon Ash-Wednesday, 
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Holy Week, and the 
vigils of Christmas and the Assumption. 

INDULGENCES GRANTED TO THE FAITHFUL 
OF THE UNITED STATES. 

TTIS Holiness Pope Pius VI., by a rescript 
" dated August the 13th, 1792, granted to all 
and each of the faithful of the Catholic com- 



INDULGENCES TO THE UNITED STATES. 5 

munion, living in the entire diocese of Balti- 
more (which, comprises the whole territory of 
the United States east of the Mississippi, ex- 
cept Florida) the following plenary indul- 
gences : 

A plenary indulgence to be gained by all 
who having made a good confession and re- 
ceived Holy Communion on the days hereafter 
mentioned, will visit the parish church or any 
other, or, if there be no church or chapel, 
will devoutly recite five times Our Father, 
Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father, etc. , 
and fervently pray for the propagation of 
the Catholic faith and the exaltation of the 
Church. 

The days mentioned are : From the vigil of 
Christ mas till the feast of the Epiphany (Jan. 
6) inclusively ; 

From the first Sunday of Lent to the second 
inclusively ; 

From Passion Sunday to Thursday in Holy 
"Week inclusively ; 

From the Vespers of Holy Saturday (recited 
immediately after Mass on that day) to Low 
Sunday inclusively ; 

From the first Vespers of Whitsunday to the 
last day of the octave of Corpus Christi inclu- 
sively ; 



6 WHAT "WE HATE TO BELIETE. 

On the feasts of the Purification, Annuncia- 
tion, Assumption, Nativity, and Conception 
of The Blessed Virgin Mary, and during the 
entire octaves of these feasts ; 

On the feast of the holy Apostles Sts. Peter 
and Paul (June 29th) and during the octave 
of the same ; 

On the feast of St. Michael the Archangel 
and during the octave of the same ; 

On the feast of All Saints (Xov. 1) and 
during the octave. 

It is, however, necessary, that all indul- 
gences published by the Holy See, should be 
promulgated in each diocese by the Bishop. 

(Decree of the Congregation of Indulge nets, 
January 28, 18-12.) 

WHAT WE HAVE TO KXOW AXD TO BELIEVE. 

1. That there is one supreme, eternal, infi- 
nite God, the Creator of heaven and earth ; 
and that the good will be forever rewarded by 
Him in heaven, and the wicked forever pun- 
ished in hell. 

2. That in God there are three Persons, co- 
eternal and co-equal, God the Father, God the 
Son, and God the Holy Ghost. 

3. That God the Son, the second Person of 



THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF GOD. 7 

the Most Holy Trinity, was made Man, and 
died upon the Cross to save us. 

4. We are bound also to know and to be- 
lieve the Apostles' Creed ; and to haye a 
knowledge of the commandments of God and 
of the Church, of the Holy Sacraments, and 
of the Lord's Prayer, 

5. We haye, moreoyer, to belieye whatever 
God teaches us by his Holy Church, who, in 
her teaching, can neither deceive nor be de- 
ceived ; and whose teaching is, amongst other 
ways, infallibly made known to us by the 
Sovereign Pontiff when he speaks ex cathedra , 
that is, when, discharging the office of Pastor 
and Teacher of all Christians, he, by virtue 
of his supreme Apostolic authority, defines a 
doctrine of faith or morals, to be held by the 
universal Church. 

THE TWO PRECEPTS OF CHARITY, 

1. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with 
thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, 
and with thy whole mind, and with thy whole 
strength. 2. Thou shalt love thy neighbor 
as thyself. 

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF GOD. 

1. Thou shalt not have strange gods before 
Me. Thou shalt not make to thyself any 



8 SIX COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH. 

graven thing ; nor the likeness of anything 
that is in heaven above, or in the earth be- 
neath, ncr of those things that are in the wa- 
ters under the earth. Thou shalt not adore 
them nor serve them. 

2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord 
thy God in vain. 

3. Remember that thou keep holy the Sab- 
bath day. 

4. Honor thy father and thy mother. 

5. Thou shalt not kill. 

6. Thou shalt not commit adultery. , . 

7. Thou shalt not steal. 

8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against 
thy neighbor. 

9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's 
wife. 

10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's 
goods. 

THE SIX CHIEF COMMANDMENTS OF THE 
CHURCH. 

1. To keep certain days holy, resting from 
servile works. 

2. To hear Mass on all Sundays and holi- 
days of obligation. 

3. To keep the days of fasting and absti- 
nence. 



THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS. 



9 



4. To go to confession at least once a year. 

5. To receive the Blessed Sacrament at 
least once a year ; that is, at Easter or there- 
abouts. 

6. Not to marry within certain degrees of 
kindred, nor to solemnize marriage at the for- 
bidden times. 

THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS. 

1. Baptism : by which we are made Chris- 
tians, children of God, and members of his 
Holy Church. 

2. Confirmation: by which we receive the 
Holy Ghost, to make us strong and perfect 
Christians, and soldiers of Jesus Christ. 

3. The Holy Eucharist : which is really and 
truly the body and blood, the soul, and the 
divinity of Jesus Christ, under the appear- 
ances of bread and wine. The Holy Eucharist 
is not only a sacrament, in which we receive 
our Divine Lord for the food and nourishment 
of our souls, and in which he is really present 
to be adored upon the altar : it is also a sacri- 
fice, the sacrifice of the Holy Mass, in which, 
at the time of consecration, the bread and wine 
are changed into the body and blood of Jesus 
Christ, and in which he is offered up for us 
to his Eternal Father. 



10 THE SEVEN WOKKS OE*" MERCY. 



4. Penance : by which the sins that we 
commit after baptism are forgiven. 

5. Extreme Unction : which, in dangerous 
illness, comforts the soul, remits sin, and re- 
stores health if Grod sees it to be expedient. 

6. Holy Order : by which bishops, priests, 
and other ministers of the Church are ordained. 

7. Matrimony : which is the sacrament of 
Christian marriage. 



The Three Theological Virtues : Faith, Hope, 
and Charity. 

The Four Cardinal Virtues : Prudence, 
Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance. 

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost : Wisdom, 
Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowl- 
edge, Piety, the Fear of the Lord. 

The Twelve Fruits of the Holy Ghost : Char, 
ity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Longanimity, Good- 
ness, Benignity, Mildness, Fidelity, Modesty, 
Continency, Chastity. 

The Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy : To 
counsel the doubtful ; to instruct the igno- 
rant ; to admonish sinners ; to comfort the 
afflicted ; to forgive offenses ; to bear wrongs 
patiently ; to pray for the living and the 
dead. 

The Seven Corporal Works of Mercy : To 



LAY BAPTISM. 



11 



feed the hungry ; to give drink to the thirsty ; 
to clothe the naked ; to harbor the harborless ; 
to visit the sick ; to visit the imprisoned ; to 
bury the dead. 

The Seven Deadly Sins: Pride, Covetous- 
ness, Lust, Anger, Gluttony, Envy, Sloth. — 
The Opposite Virtues : Humility, Liberality, 
Chastity, Meekness, Temperance, Brotherly 
Love, Diligence. 

Nine Ways of sharing Another's Sin : By 
counsel ; by command ; by consent ; by provo- 
cation ; by praise or flattery; by concealment ; 
by partaking ; by silence ; by defense of the ill 
done. 

LAY BAPTISM, 

Or the manner of baptizing an infant, or an 
adult person in danger of death, and when no 
priest can be had. 

In case of danger of death, and in the un- 
avoidable absence of the priest, any person, 
man, woman, or child, may baptize in the fol- 
lowing manner : 

Pour common water on the head or face, 
saying, while doing so, ".I baptize thee in the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of 
the Holy Ghost." 

!Note.— The words of the form should be carefully 
pronounced without omitting any of them. 



12 THE SIGN OF THE CROSS. 

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS. 
npHE sign of the cress is of such ancient and 
universal practice among Christians before 
the sixteenth century, that, according to Ter- 
tullian, " There was no action of a Christian 
man or woman which was not preceded by the 
cross," and the great St. Augustine says: " Un- 
less this sign of the cross be applied to the fore- 
heads of the believing, or to the water through 
which they are born again, or to the oil with 
the chrism of -which they are anointed, or to 
the sacrifice with which they are fed, none of 
these rites is duly performed." (Tract. 118, 
n. 5.) The words of St. Augustine apply to 
the frequent use made of this sign in the ad- 
ministration of all the sacraments. 

It is made in these solemn offices of the 
Church to signify that all grace is derived from 
the Passion of Christ. It is marked on all 
parts of the vestments used by her ministers 
and on the sacred vessels, to denote the uses for 
which they are set apart. On the altar-stone 
the cross is marked at each corner and in the 
middle to show that it typifies the body of the 
Crucified with the five principal wounds of 
hands, feet, and side. The crucifix is always 
placed most conspicuously on the altar itself 



THE SIGN OF THE CROSS. 13 

to recall to the minds of priest and faithful 
that the sacrifice offered on it is substantially 
the same as that offered on the cross. When 
a church is solemnly dedicated the cross is 
marked distinctly on its walls, at several places 
in the interior and anointed with chrism, to 
signify that the body of the edifice represents 
both the real and the mystical body of the Re- 
deemer ; and it is for the same purpose that 
the cross is placed outside of our churches, 
towering aloft on their steeples, to proclaim 
that they are the temples of the God of Cal- 
vary and destined, in all their uses, to point 
the way heavenward and help the Christian 
believer on his journey. 

Hence it is that believers, who are members 
of Christ's mystic body — bone of his bone, 
and flesh of his flesh — mark themselves with 
the sign of the cross in rising and going to 
bed, before and after prayer and meals, and 
all their principal actions, pronouncing at the 
same time the words,i?i the name of the Father, 
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, thereby 
attesting their belief in the adorable Trinity, 
and their love for the incarnate and crucified 
God, through whom all grace cometh to them. 



14 INDULGENCES EXPLAINED. 



HOLY OB BLESSED WATEK. 



THE Holy or Blessed Water which Catholic 
J- Christians have ever used both in their 
homes and in their churches in signing them- 
selves with the cross, was understood by all 
to be emblematic of the saving blood shed on 
the cross, and applied to us in every sacrament 
and every means appointed by the Church 
through which grace flows into the soul or 
hallows the actions or the life of the Chris- 
tian. Holy Water is one of the " Sacrament- 
als," or elements and things blessed and con- 
secrated for the special use of the faithful in 
their needs of body and soul, such as blessed 
salt, candles, oils, bread, etc. The use of all 
these in health, or sickness, or temptation, in 
trial or danger of any kind, is intended to 
awaken and to strengthen our faith in Christ 
and our trust in his all-saving and sanctify- 
ing merit. 

INDULGENCES EXPLAINED. 

A N Indulgence is not a leave to commit a 



sin, nor a pardon of future sins, nor in- 
deed pardon of sin at all ; it is only a remis- 
sion of the whole-or of a part of the temporal 
punishment that often remains to be suffered 




INDULGENCES EXPLAINED. 15 

for sins which, as to their guilt and eternal 
punishment, have been already remitted. 

For the validity and effect of an Indulgence, 
it is not only necessary that there be a compe- 
tent authority in him who grants it, and a 
just cause or motive for the grant, but it is 
also necessary on the part of him who obtains 
it, that he renounce and be sincerely sorry for 
all his sins, that he be in a state of grace, and 
that he duly perform all the conditions pre- 
scribed. 

Hence Indulgences, so far from withdraw- 
ing sinners from performing good works, 
serve to excite and encourage them to greater 
fervor in the practice of them. They who 
apply for the benefit of Indulgences, must do 
it with a penitential spirit, with a sense of the 
great debt of punishment they have contract- 
ed by their sins, and with earnest petitions to 
be discharged from it through the merits and 
satisfactions of Christ, by the power of the 
keys which he has committed to his Church. 
If this debt be not paid by penitential suffer- 
ings, or graciously remitted by Indulgences 
in this life, it will, after death, retard the en- 
trance of a soul into the kingdom of Heaven, 
until the last farthing be paid in the prison of 
Purgatory. 



OK PRAYER. 



r FHE Christian man is nothing, if he is not 



^ 8 Christ-like, that is, supernatural, in his 
thoughts, his feelings, his principles, his aims, 
and his actions. Supernatural he cannot be, 
save through the grace of God obtained by 
the means divinely appointed, — prayer, the 
sacraments, and the other ministrations and 
aids towards holiness in use in God's Church. 

Of the sacraments, and the other various 
helps mercifully provided for the children of 
God within his House and Kingdom on earth, 
we shall treat in due course throughout this 
book ; of prayer, which is as necessary to the 
life of the soul as is the pure air to the lungs, 
we must speak a few needful words at pre- 
sent. 

To what purpose would we introduce the 
reader to the varied wealth of our Treasury, 
if he were not thoroughly enlightened with 
regard to the priceless value of the gems it 
contains, and trained to make of each and 
every one of them the use most profitable to 



16 



ON PRAYER. 



IT 



himself ? It would be idle to ask the man un- 
skilled in warlike exercises or wholly unused 
to the management of military weapons, to 
walk in to a vast arsenal filled with all the 
implements for attack and defense ever de- 
vised by man. The inspection of all these 
wonderful inventions and implements would 
be fruitless and wearisome. 

Even so the possession of this Treasury of 
prayer, though it contained the most soul- 
stirring appeals ever made to the Divine Mag- 
nificence, or the most fruitful exercises of de- 
votion ever taught to holy men by the Spirit 
of God or derived from their own long experi- 
ence in the paths of perfection, — would be a 
barren gift, if we did not teach the possessor 
wherein lay its value, how best to use it, and 
fire his soul with the desire of turning all 
these riches to account. 

The necessity of prayer, and of most fre- 
quent prayer — as well as its efficacy — can be 
measured by the facility with which its most 
essential and important acts can be performed 
by all persons, at all times, and in all places. 
We see, as we look around us, how ready for 
our use God has made those things which are 
most needful or indispensable to our bodily 
life, the air, the water, the light, the warmth, 
2 



18 



DAILY DEVOTIONS, 



— the very fruits of the field, — if men would 
bestow their labor on the field instead of herd- 
ing together in cities and manufactories. All 
these necessaries are stored up ready to our 
hand, accessible to our most ordinary industry, 
precisely because without them we could not 
live or labor. 

Without divine grace, without God's special 
presence, varied influences and gifts to our 
soul through his ordinances, institution?, and 
the action of our fellow-men, our souls could 
not live that supernatural life which even on 
earth is necessary to the true children of God. 
That aid, no matter by what channel it reaches 
us, comes solely from him in whom alone is 
the life, the light, the strength, and joy of the 
soul. It is as needful to the soul, as the vital 
air is to the lungs, as light is to the eye, as fire 
and water are to the purposes of human exist- 
ence, 

Hence the facility with which we can obtain 
that grace by prayer, — that is by lifting up 
our soul to him who is ever so near us, though 
we fancy him so far ofT, — by thinking loving- 
ly, gratefully, reverently of him ; by praising 
his greatness and goodness ; by adoring his 
surpassing excellence and majesty, thanking 
Him for the gift of our being, our life, our 



ON PRAYER. 



19 



hopes for time and eternity — for the liberality 
which never ceases to lavish its untold wealth 
on our undeserving souls, and the patient 
mercy that wearies not in forgiving our of- 
fenses and remedying our ills; and, finally, by 
setting our own necessities before him and 
craving the boon required by our present 
need. 

" Evening and morning, and at noon I will 
speak and declare ; and He shall hear my 
voice " (Ps. lv. 10). " To thee, O Lord, have 
I lifted up my soul" (Ps. xxiv. 1). " The Lord 
is nigh unto all them that call upon him, — 
to all them that call upon him in truth " (Ps. 
cxliv. 18). 

Yes, — evening and morning and noon, at 
every moment of the day or the night, in 
health or in sickness, in joy or in sorrow, in 
deepest interior peace or tossed on the waves 
of trouble and temptation, — in every place and 
occupation, amid solitude or in the crowd, — 
we can lift our soul up to God, knowing that 
he is ever near, with his eyes fixed on all our 
ways, his heart overflowing with the goodness 
and liberality and mercy we need, and his 
hands stretched out to bestow his gifts, to 
shield, to sustain, and to save us. And it only 
requires a glance of our soul, as rapid as the 



CO 



DAILY DEVOTIONS. 



lightning flash, to bring ns face to face with 
that dread Majesty, that fatherly goodness, 
whose ear and heart and hand are all our own ! 
Oh ! how easy it is to pray, if we are only in 
earnest about it ! 

' ' Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught 
his disciples" (St. Luke, xi. 1). Such was 
the cry sent up to our Lord by one of his 
apostles. They had known John the Baptist 
and his disciples, before they had been called 
to follow Christ ; they had admired the deep, 
earnest spirit of prayer which was one of the 
characteristics of the great kinsman and Fore- 
runner of our Lord ; they felt that in this 
close and uninterrupted communion of the 
soul with the Divine Majesty lay the secret of 
John's marvelous holiness and of the exalted 
virtues practiced by the men who had learned 
in his school ; and so they were anxious to be 
taught the same unearthly wisdom by him 
whom John had proclaimed as the expected 
Redeemer. " Lord, teach us to pray \" 

We must be in earnest, if we would learn 
this all-important lesson in the school of 
Christ. "Ask, and it shall be given you; 
seek, and you shall find ; knock, and it shall 
be opened to you." (St. Matthew, vii. T). The 
boon we ask for is of such incomparable ne- 



ON PRAYER. 



21 



cessity ! The treasure we seek for is so far 
above the value of gold or gems ! The House 
and Home at whose door we stand, is our sole 
eternal rest and most blissful abode, into 
which we must force our way, if we would 
not be left outside in the eternal darkness ! 
Surely, in the asking, the seeking, the knock- 
ing for admission, we must be earnest and 
persistent. 

" From the days of John the Baptist until 
now, the kingdom of Heaven suffer eth vio- 
lence, and the violent [the earnest] bear it 
away " (St. Matthew, xi. 12). 

We must be earnest in prayer, if we hope 
to obtain what we ask for. The graces we 
seek are to us precious above all price we can 
think of. God is also ready to bestow even 
more than we ask ; but he would have us 
prize his gifts at their true value. It is be- 
cause we have no proper conception of these 
priceless graces, that we are so lukewarm in 
asking, so slothful in seeking, so listless and 
inconstant in knocking at the gate of the 
Infinite Goodness. 

"You shall seek Me, and shall find Me, 
when you shall seek Me with all your heart " 
(Jeremias, xxix. 13). Look at a hungry child 
pleading for bread to its mother ; how, while 



22 DAILY DEVOTIONS. 

it pours forth its earnest words of entreaty, it 
clings to her garment, and looks up beseech- 
ingly into her eves ! How could she resist 
the eloquence of that uplifted face ? Have you 
eyer seen a father pleading with a physician 
for the life of an only child lying at death's 
door ? Or knocking pitifully at the door of 
your own heart for his dear ones prostrated 
by famine and fever ? Is it not to such earnest 
petitioners as these that the following inspired 
words are addressed? "Arise! give praise 
in the night, in the beginning of the watches: 
pour out thy heart like water before the face 
of the Lord : lift up thy hands to him for the 
life of thy little children, that have fainted 
for hunger at the top of all the streets" 
(Lamentations, ii. 19). 

We look back over our own experience and 
wonder that we have so often asked and ob- 
tained nothing in return ; that we have sought 
and sought, and found our quest vain ; that 
we have knocked, time and again, at God's 
gate, and it opened not. Perhaps, if we ex- 
amine our conscience well and call our mem- 
ory to a strict account, we shall find, that 
when we asked, our lips alone spoke, while 
mind and heart were far away from the dread 
Presence ; that while we were seeking, our 



ON PRAYER. 



23 



efforts were like those of one in a dream, who 
thinks he is traveling with speed, though he 
moves not from his bed ; that while we 
knocked and thought we cried out at the gate, 
we had forgotten the very purpose which 
brought us there. 

We were not in earnest. Our heart was 
not in our words, or in our search, or in our 
knocking. Our prayer was no prayer ! " You 
ask and receive not, because you ask amiss " 
(St. James, iv. 3). 

" Let us lift up our hearts with our hands 
to the Lord in the heavens " (Lamentations, 
iii. 41). No work is done well on which the 
workman does not set his mind and his heart. 
This is one of the great practical truths con- 
firmed by the experience of all time. Assured- 
ly, prayer is one of the most important works 
— daily works too — and one of the most sacred 
works to which man can give his whole soul. 
With his whole soul, therefore, should he 
apply himself to it, setting his heart on see- 
ing his prayer successful. 

We have two golden rules to give for this 
purpose : 1. Let us, from the present mo- 
ment and all through life, acquire the habit 
of never approaching the Divine Majesty in 
supplicatory prayer, without knowing what 



DAILY DEVOTIONS. 



we are going to ask for, and not leave the di- 
vine presence without having asked for it 
humbly, repeatedly, earnestly. 

2. Let us accustom ourselves to speak to 
God, as if we knew that he stood before us 
in prayer, separated from us only by a thin 
vail which prevents our poor weak eyes from 
seeing him, but which cannot hide ourselves, 
our hearts, our wants, from his all-seeing 
eyes. 

" Before prayer, prepare thy soul ; and be 
not as a man that tempteth God " ^Ecclesias- 
ticus, xviii. 23). " The prayer of him that 
humbleth himself shall pierce the clouds: and 
till it come nigh he will not be comforted : 
and he will not depart till the Most High be- 
hold " {Ibidem, xxxv. 21). 

" Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our in- 
firmity: for we know not what we should 
pray for as we ought ; but the Spirit himself 
asketh for us with unspeakable groanings " 
(Romans, viii. 26). 



0 God, my God, to thee do I watch at break 
of day. 

For tliee my soul hath thirsted ; for thee 
my flesh, 0 how many ways ! . . . 

Thus will I bless thee [all] my life long ; 
and in thy name I will lift up my hands. — 
Ps. lxii. 1, 2, 5. 

Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, 
now and for evermore, and through the count- 
less ages of eternity ! Amen. 

Glory be to the Father who created us ! 

Glory be to the Son who redeemed us ! 

Glory be to the Holy Ghost who sanctified 
us ! 

As soon as the appointed time for rising has 
come, rise promptly, lifting up at once your 
soul to God, signing yourself joyously and 
reverently with the sign of the cross, and re- 
peating some such form of praise and adora- 
tion as the above, You are God's adopted 
child, as well as his creature : you owe him 
all that you are, all that you have, all that you 

25 



26 



MORNING PRAYER. 



can hope for of joy and happiness from the 
beginning of the present day to the dawn of 
eternity, and throughout all the eternal ages. 
Angels have kept watch over you during the 
night, saints before his throne have been and 
are now pleading for you ; on your rest as 
well as on your waking the all-seeing eye is 
fixed, and the almighty hand is open and ex- 
tended to bless and to protect you throughout 
this day. 

You wake and rise in presence of the whole 
court of heaven : worthy or unworthy, you 
are one of the servants of that Great Majesty, 
one of the children of that august household. 

Sign yourself then with their sign ; and lift 
your heart on high as you rise to give this day 
to the sweet service of your Maker and your 
Father. Put away from your mind every 
thought and care but that of devoting to him 
these first moments of the day. Your worldly 
anxieties will come in upon your soul soon 
enough : he before whom you stand while 
you are dressing, knows full well what 
these anxieties are, and will be your helper 
in your labor, your trouble, your dangers. 
Go now to him. He has all that you have 
not, all that you need ; he is most ready and 
willing to give, and often gives beyond what 
we ask for. " Ask, and it shall be given 
you ; seek, and you shall find ! " 



In the name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 



HUMILITY. 



27 



PRAISE A^D ADORATION. 

OKIXG of ages, immortal and in- 
visible, thou sole living God, to 
thee be honor and glory from every spirit 
in heaven and on earth and throughout 
all eternity ! Kneeling here in thy 
presence and in that of the entire court 
of heaven, I adore thee bowing down 
before thy infinite Majesty body and 
soul, my mind and my heart, and offer- 
ing up to thee all that I am, all that 
I have, all that I hope for, — every 
thought and aim and word and deed 
throughout this day and till my latest 
breath. 

HUMILITY. 

OMY God, my Maker, my Lord, and 
most loving Father, do not con- 
sider how unworthy I am to appear 
in thy sight, how ^ungrateful I have 
been for all thy past unspeakable good- 
ness, and how many sins make my soul 
hideous to thy eyes, and hateful to thy 



28 



RESOLUTION. 



angels and saints. I am but the poor, 
naked, famished, footsore, and fainting 
prodigal lying all helpless at his Fa- 
ther's door. Let the yoice of my very 
distress cry out to thee, and call clown 
thy mercy on thy long-erring and deep- 
ly guilty child ! 

RESOLUTION. 

THIS day is one favor more from thy 
goodness, 0 Lord of time and eter- 
nity, and to thy service I wish to devote 
its every hour and moment. Thy hand 
has brought me most mercifully to this 
dread presence : Oh ! let me go from it 
with the resolution of being hencefor- 
ward and to the end most worthy of all 
thy patience and all thy generosity. 

INVOCATION OF CHRIST OUR MEDIATOR. 

I BEHOLD at thy right hand, where 
he is " always living to make in- 
tercession for us," thy Son Jesus, our 
Saviour and our Teacher. While his 
wounds are pleading for my soul, and 



INVOCATION OF CHRIST'S MOTHER. 29 

all heaven joins with him in interces- 
sion, I shall offer up to thee the prayer 
which his own lips have taught me : 

Our Father who art in heaven, hal- 
lowed be thy name ! 

Thy kingdom come ! 

Thy will be done on earth as it is 
in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread. 

And forgive us our trespasses as we 
forgive them that trespass against us. 

And lead us not into temptation ; but 
deliver us from evil. Amen. 

invocation or christ/s mother. 

riE my Eedeemer I behold her 
who bore him, and who stood be- 
neath his cross on Calvary : she is the 
mother of thy Christ and of all thy 
redeemed. Let me too, who am the 
child of her tears as of her Son's blood, 
address to her the words of the Angel 
with those of the entire Church. 

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord 
is with thee ! 



30 ACT OF FAITH. 

Blessed art tliou among women ! 
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, 
Jesus ! 

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for 
us sinners, now, and at the hour of our 
death. Amen. 

ACT OF FAITH. 

0MOST blissful society of the re- 
deemed, assembled in the City of 
God around your true Parent, Jesus, 
and your Mother, Mary, — let me unite 
in your presence, with all believers on 
earth in proclaiming the true Chris- 
tian faith in which I hope to live and 
die : 

I believe in God the Father Almighty, 
Creator of heaven and earth. 

And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, 
our Lord ; 

Who was conceived by the Holy 
Ghost ; 

Born of the Virgin Mary ; 

Suffered under Pontius Pilate ; was 
crucified, dead, and buried ; . 



CONFESSION OF SINS. 



31 



He descended into hell ; 
The third day he rose again from the 
dead ; 

He ascended into heaven ; 

Sitteth at the right hand of God, the 
Father Almighty ; 

From thence he will come to judge 
the liying and the dead. 

I believe in the Holy Ghost ; 

The Holy Catholic Church ; 

The communion of saints ; 

The forgiveness of sins : 

The resurrection of the body ; 

The life everlasting. Amen. 

CONFESSION OF SINS. 

IT^HILE the eyes of the hosts of an- 
' * gels, thy faithful ministers, and 
of the glorious multitude of saints, are 
bent upon me, a sinner and unfaithful 
servant, humbling myself before thee, 
I shall pour out the grief of my soul 
and lay the burden of my guilt here at 
thy feet : 



32 INVOCATION OF THE BLESSED. 



I confess to Almighty God ; 

To blessed Mary, ever Virgin ; 

To blessed Michael the Archangel ; 

To blessed John the Baptist ; 

To the holy apostles Peter and Paul ; 

And to all the saints ; 

That I have sinned exceedingly in 
thought, word, and deed, through my 
fault, through my fault, through my 
most grievous fault. 

Therefore I beseech the blessed Mary, 
ever Virgin, the blessed Michael the 
Archangel, the blessed John the Bap- 
tist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, 
and all the saints, to pray to the Lord 
our God for me. 

IXVOCATIO^ OF THE BLESSED AEOUKD 
GOD'S THBOKE. 

OGLOEIOUS company of the heav- 
enly court, who gaze evermore 
without vail on that infinite greatness 
and goodness I have so grievously add 
so often offended, obtain, I beseech 
you, prostrate here in my heartfelt sor- 



CHRIST'S MERCY IMPLORED. 33 



row, that I may clearly see my own 
guilt and ingratitude, that I may detest 
sin and all that leads to it as the evil 
most to be feared and shunned, that I 
may at length begin to deplore the dis- 
grace my conduct has cast on the name 
of my Father and my God, the displea- 
sure I have caused his unwearied and 
incomparable love, and all the wicked 
waste of his graces and of my own life 
hitherto. 

CHRIST'S MERCY IMPLORED. 

0 JESUS, the eternal Word incarnate, 
born in the stable and nailed to 
the cross for my salvation, I approach 
in spirit thy throne and the feet of thy 
Virgin Mother. 0 thou who art to be 
my judge when life is over, let me now 
lay open my heart before thee, with all 
its wretchedness, its wants, and its 
wounds, while it cries out for mercy, 
for light, for strength, to the Father, 
the Holy Ghost, and to thee : 
3 



34 



LITANY OF JESUS. 



THE LITANY OF JESUS. 

f ORD, have mercy on us ! 

^ Christ have mercy on us ! 

Lord, have mercy on us ! 

Christ, hear us ! 

Christ, graciously hear us ! 

God the Father from heaven, 

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, 

God the Holy Ghost, 

Holy Trinity, one God, 

Jesus, Son of the living God, 

Jesus, Splendor of the Father, 

Jesus, Brightness of eternal light, 

Jesus, King of glory, 

Jesus, the Sun of justice, 

Jesus, the Son of the Virgin Mary, 

Jesus, most amiable, 

Jesus, most admirable, 

J esus, the mighty God, 

Jesus, the Father of the world to come, 

Jesus, the Angel of the great council, 

Jesus, most powerful, 

Jesus, most patient, 

Jesus, most obedient, 

Jesus, meek and -humble of heart, 

Jesus, the Lover of chastity, 



LITANY OF JESUS. 



35 



5 

S3 



Jesus, the Lover of us, 
Jesus, the God of peace, 
Jesus, the Author of life, 
Jesus, the Exemplar of virtues, 
Jesus, the zealous seeker of souls, 
Jesus, our God, 
Jesus, our Refuge, 
Jesus, Father of the poor, 
Jesus, Treasure of the faithful, 
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, 
Jesus, the True Light, 
Jesus, the Eternal "Wisdom, 
Jesus, the Infinite Goodness, 
Jesus, our Way and our Life, 
Jesus, the Joy of Angels, 
Jesus, the Master of the apostles, 
Jesus, the Teacher of the evangelists, 
Jesus, the Strength of martyrs, 
Jesus, the Light of confessors, 
Jesus, the Purity of virgins, 
Jesus, the Crown of all the saints, 
Be merciful unto us ! 

Spare us, 0 Jesus ! 
Be merciful unto us ! 

Graciously hear us, 0 Jesus ! 
From all sin, deliver us, 0 Jesus ! 
From thy wrath, deliver us, 0 Jesus ! 
From the snares of the devil, deliver us,0 Jesus! 



86 



LITANY OF JESUS. 



From the spirit of uncleanness, 

From the eternal death, 

From the not heeding thy inspirations, 

Through the mystery of thy holy incar- 
nation, 

Through thy birth, 

Through thy infancy, 

Through thy most God-like life, 

Through thy labors, 

Through thy agony and passion, 

Through thy cross and loneliness, 

Through thy sadness and weariness, 

Through thy death and burial, 

Through thy resurrection, 

Through thy ascension, 

Through thy joys, 

Through thy glory, 

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the 
world : Spare us, O Jesus ! 

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the 
world : Graciously hear us, O Jesus ! 

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the 
world : Have mercy on us, 0 Jesus ! , 

Jesus, hear us ! 

Jesus, graciously hear us ! 

V. We shall praise thee, 0 God ! 
B. And we shall call on thy name. 



LITANY OF JESUS. 



37 



LET ITS PEAT. 

OLOED JESUS CHKIST, who hast 
said, "Ask and you shall receive, 
seek and you shall find, knock and it 
shall be opened to you/' — we beseech 
thee, grant to us who crave the senti- 
ment of thy most divine love, that we 
may cherish thee with our whole heart 
and word and deed, and never cease 
from praising thee, who with the Father 
and the Holy Spirit, livest and reignest 
as God forever and ever. Amen. 

0 Lord, bestow on us a lasting fear 
as well as a lasting love of thy holy 
name, because thou never takest away 
thy guidance and protection from those 
whom thou hast taught steadfastly to 
love thee, who livest and reignest world 
without end. Amen. 

We fly to thy protection, 0 Holy 
Mother of God ; despise not our earnest 
prayers in our extreme need ; but de- 



38 RECOMMENDATION TO THE ANGELS. 

liver us from all dangers, 0 Virgin ever 
glorious and blessed. 

RECOMMENDATION OF OXE'S SELF TO 
THE ANGELS AND SAINTS, 

QAINT MICHAEL, chief of the heav- 
*J enly host, defend us from the as- 
saults of our invisible enemies. 

St. Joseph, patron of the Church of 
God, to whom while on earth was com- 
mitted the care of God's incarnate Son 
and of his Mother, — have a care of my 
soul and its interests this day ! And 
you, 0 angels and saints who surround 
on high the throne of the living God, 
forget not this poor soul of mine in your 
intercessions ! 

0 my Angel Guardian, my constant 
and devoted companion and friend on 
life's journey, befriend me through all 
the labors and temptations of this day ; 
and so may God our Lord and Father 
ever increase thy joy and glory ! 



THE ANGELUS. 



39 



May he, who is Lord over all, bless 
us and shield us from all evil, and bring 
us safe to the life eternal ! 

And may the souls of the faithful 
departed through the mercy of God rest 
in peace ! Amen. 

THE "AtfGELUS." 

0 JESUS and Mary— the true parents 
of the new life, the true Father and 
Mother of my soul, — I unite my voice 
with all the souls who throughout time 
and eternity bless you both for your 
share in the great work of the Incarna- 
tion and Kedemption. 

V. The Angel of the Lord declared 
to Mary. 

R. And she conceived of the Holy 
Ghost. 

Hail, Mary, full of grace, etc. 
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. 
R. Be it done to me according to thy 
word. 



40 



THE ANGELUS. 



Hail, Mary, etc. 

V. And the Word was made flesh. 
R. And dwelt among us. 
Hail, Mary, etc. 

V. Pray for us, 0 Holy Mother of 
God. 

R. That we be made worthy of the 
promises of Christ. 

Let us Pray. 

Pour forth, we beseech thee, 0 Lord, 
thy grace into our hearts, that we to 
whom the incarnation of Christ thy 
Son was made known by the message of 
an angel, may through his passion and 
cross be brought to the glory of his 
resurrection. Though the same Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



As soon as you are dressed, kneel humbly 
as if admitted for a moment into the court of 
Heaven, and thus express your love and grati- 
tude to the adorable Trinity : 

1. GEATITUDE TO THE HOLY TEIXITY. 

T ADORE thee, 0 most blessed Trin- 
A ity, I praise and glorify thee, ren- 
dering thee my heartfelt thanks for 
thy having brought me safe through 
this night. So many sinners, during 
my sleep, have been summoned to ap- 
pear before thee in judgment, and 
have received their eternal doom ! 

What shall I do for thee, 0 infinite 
goodness and mercy, in order to show 
that I am not unmindful of thy pa- 
tience toward my own most unworthy 
self? 

0 Mother of my Redeemer, Jesus, 0 

41 



42 OFFER YOUR HEART AND LIFE. 

my kind Guardian Angel, 0 J osepli the 
sweet protector of all the children of 
God, obtain for me by your intercession 
the grace of knowing my God's un- 
speakable goodness and my own un- 
worthiness, that I may be fired to honor 
and glorify him by my words and ac- 
tions ! 

2. OFFER YOUR HEART TO YOUR HEAT- 
EDLY FATHER. 

0 FATHER, 0 King of eternity, 
most lovingly do I offer thee here 
my heart, my soul, my body with all 
its senses, all that I am and all that I 
have ; accept me, thy unworthy crea- 
ture, and bind me by love and generos- 
ity to thy service, in union with the 
life and labors of thy most blessed Son, 
my Saviour and Model, Jesus. 0 Fa- 
ther, when shall I labor worthily for 
thee, and be ready to enjoy the repose 
of thy kingdom ? 



DISPOSE THE ACTS OF THE DAY. 43 

3. DISPOSE BEFOREHAND ALL THE ACTS 
OF THIS DAY IN CONFORMITY WITH 
THE TEACHING AND EXAMPLE OF 
CHRIST. 

0 JESUS so near and so dear to us, — 
thou who art for us the Way, the 
Truth, and the Life, here I come to thy 
feet to crave thy blessing on my present 
resolution of keeping thy law perfectly, 
and of avoiding most carefully such sins 
as displease thee most in me. 

You know what are the sins that weigh 
heaviest on your own conscience, which you 
are most exposed to fall into during your 
daily occupation, or through companionship 
with others. . . . The occasion of com- 
mitting these sins occurs, as you know well, 
at certain hours of the day. Generously and 
most firmly resolve, now in the divine pres- 
ence, to be faithful whenever and however 
the occasion or temptation comes ; . . . 
to avoid the persons or the places which lead 
you into temptation, or, if you cannot avoid 
them, to put forth your whole strength with 
the divine assistance, as soon as temptation 
approaches you. This is the chief matter in 
your spiritual life this day : this is what God 
principally expects of you. And on this point 
you are to examine your conscience at night 



44 IMPLORE THE AID OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 



prayers. But if you would be really successful 
in avoiding sin and destroying in your soul the 
roots of evil and inveterate habit,— you must 
practice acts of the contrary virtue, and thus 
destroy one habit by contracting the opposite 
one, — as a man drives in a rusty nail by a 
good sound one. 

4. RESOLUTION FOR THE EtfSUIKG DAY. 

I SHALL walk in thy footsteps to- 
day, 0 Jesus, meek and humble of 
heart, 0 Jesus, charitable, chaste, tem- 
perate, and devoted to the good of 
others, and the glory of thy Father. 0 
my crucified Lord and love, if thou 
wouldst only begin to live in this weak, 
sensual, immortified heart of mine ! If, 
in my dangers and trials to-day I could 
have the courage to fly to thee and 
hide myself within thy open side and 
pierced heart ! Oh ! help me to walk 
in thy ways, even as a mother guides 
the first steps of her infant. 

5. IMPLORE THE AID OF THE HOLY 

SPIRIT. 

OHOLY GHOST, 0 Spirit of my bap- 
tism, — thou whom Jesus has left* 



ASK THE INTERCESSION OF ANGELS, 45 

to me to enlighten, strengthen, and 
comfort me, — be with me in my labors, 
my trials, my temptations. Too often, 
alas, have I neglected thy holy inspira- 
tions in the past. Oh ! create a new 
heart within me now, that I may be 
ever faithful to thy light, and go on 
from virtue to virtue. 

6. ASK THE IOTEECESSIO^ OP ALL THE 
A Is GELS AXD SAINTS. 

OGLOEIOU S spirits who are God's 
ever - faithful ministers and our 
helpers in every necessity, protect me 
against the spirits of darkness, the bit- 
ter enemies of my God and my soul. 
And you, 0 blessed company of the 
saints, extend your charity to this soul 
of mine, and pray that it may be faith- 
ful to your Lord and Master during this 
day, and, like you, glorify his holy 
name by leading a Christian life. 



46 PRAYER TO OUR BLESSED LADY. 



SPECIAL PRAYER TO OUR BLESSED LADY. 

OMY Sovereign Lady, 0 Holy Mary, 
to thy faith, thy sole protection, 
and to that most merciful heart of 
thine, I commit myself, in soul and 
body, this day and every day of my life ; 
I leave in thy hands every hope and con- 
solation of mind, all my anxieties and 
miseries, my whole life and the end of 
my life ; that, through thy most blessed 
intercession and merits, every work of 
mine shall be regulated and ordered in 
conformity with thy wish and the will 
of thy Son. Amen. 

ANOTHER PRAYER TO THE BLESSED 

VIRGIST. 

{Most earnestly recommended^) 

OMY Sovereign and my Mother, I 
give over my entire self to thee ; 
and to show my devotion toward thee, 
I this day consecrate to thee my eyes, my 
ears, my mouth, and my heart, — my 
whole self without reserve. Make me 
entirely thine own. Amen. 



FATHER BERNARD'S PRAYER. 



47 



IN DANGERS AND TEMPTATIONS 
THROUGHOUT THE DAT. 

OMY Sovereign ! 0 my Mother ! re- 
member I am thine : keep me, 
guard me as a thing that wholly belongs 
to thee. 

THE CELEBRATED PRATER MEMOBARE, 
COMPOSED BY THE REV. EATHER 
BERNARD, A MISSIONARY, FROM 
THE WRITINGS OF ST. BERNABD. 

REMEMBEK, 0 most kind and merci- 
ful Virgin Mary, that it is unheard 
of, that any one having earnestly re- 
course to thy protection, or imploring 
thy help, or seeking thine advocacy, 
should have been cast off by thee. I 
too, impelled by a like filial trust in 
thee, hasten to come to thee, 0 Queen 
of Virgins, 0 Mother ; — yes, I come to 
thee, and present myself before thee, 
bewailing my sins. Do not, 0 Mother 
of the Word incarnate, close thine ear 



48 THE SAL YE REGLN'A. 

to the words of my prayer ; but. in thy 
merciful goodness, hear and grant my 
petition. Amen. 

THE SAME PRAYER m LATIX. 

MEMOBABE, 0 piissimaVirgo Maria, 
non esse anditum a saeculo, quem- 
quam ad tua currentem pra?sidia, tua 
implorantem auxilia, tua petentem suf- 
fragia, esse derelictum. Ego, tali ani- 
matus confidentia, ad te, Virgo Yirgi- 
nnm, Mater, curro ; ad te venio, coram 
te gemens peccator assisto. Noli, Mater 
Verbi, verba mea despicere, sed audi 
propitia et exaudi ! Amen. 

THE f * SALYE REGI^A. *' 

HAIL ! holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, 
our life, our sweetness, and our 
hope ; to thee do we cry, poor banished 
sons of Eve ; to thee do we send up our 
sighs, mourning and weeping in this 
valley of tears r turn then, most gra- 
cious Advocate, thy eyes of mercy to- 



PRAYER ON LEAVING YOUR HOME. 49 



ward us ; and, after this our exile, show 
unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, 
Jesus. 0 most clement, most pious, 
and most sweet Virgin Mary. 

V. Pray for us, 0 holy Mother of 
God. 

R. That we may be made worthy of 
the promises of Christ. 

THE BLESSING. 

THE peace of our Lord Jesus Christ ; 
the virtue of his sacred passion ; 
the sign of his holy cross ; the purity 
and humility of the blessed Virgin 
Mary ; the protection of the angels ; 
and the intercession of all the saints and 
elect of God, be with me, and defend 
me now, and at the hour of my death, 
sweet Jesus. Amen. 

ON LEAVING YOUR HOME FOR YOUR 
PLACE OF OCCUPATION, SAY INTE- 
RIORLY : 

SHOW me, 0 Lord, thy ways, and 
teach me thy paths. Direct my 
4 



50 PRAYER FOR STUDENTS, ETC. 

steps according to thy word, that no in- 
justice may rule oyer me. Make perfect 
my walking in thy paths, that my steps 
may not be moved. 

A PRAYER FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, 
LAWYERS, JUDGES, ETC., BEFORE 
BEGINNING THEIR LABORS. 

riOME, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of 
^ those who believe in thee, and 
kindle in them the fire of thy love. 

V. Send forth thy Spirit and they 
shall be created. 

R. And thou wilt renew the face of 
the earth. 

0 God, who hast taught the hearts of 
the faithful by the illuminating grace 
of the Holy Spirit ; grant us in the 
same spirit ever to relish what is right 
and thus to have the joy of his con- 
solation. Through Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



GRACE AFTER MEALS. 



51 



A BRIEFER FORM FOR WORKING 
PEOPLE OF BOTH SEXES. 

LET thy breath move our hearts in 
beginning our every action, 0 
Lord, and thine assistance enable us to 
carry it on, — so that all our prayers and 
labors shall ever have their beginning 
from thee and through thee be hap- 
pily ended. Amen. 

GRACE BEFORE MEALS. 

BLESS us, 0 Lord, and these gifts of 
thine, of which we are about to 
partake through thy Fatherly bounty 
and the grace of thy Son, Christ Jesus. 
Amen. 

GRACE AFTER MEALS. 

WE give thee thanks, 0 Almighty 
and all-bountiful Father, for the 
food of our body and all other tempo- 
ral and spiritual blessings received at 
thy hand, through thy Son and our 
Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. 



52 GRACE AFTER MEALS. 

Vouchsafe, 0 Lord, for thy name's 
sake, to render to our benefactors life 
everlasting ! Amen. 

And may the souls of the faithful de- 
parted, through the mercy of God, rest 
in peace. Amen. 



(Evening $rat)er. 



Blessed are the underlie d in the way, 
Who walk in the way of the Lord. 
Blessed are they that search his testimo- 
nies ; — ■ 

That seek him with their whole heart.— Ps. 
cxviii. 1, 2. 

And they shall be my people, 
And I will be their God. 
And I will give them one heart and one 
way, 

That they may fear me all days : 
And that it may be well with them, 
And with their children after them. — Jere- 
mias, xxxii. 38, 39. 

As the prevision of the dangers which 
usually befall us in the course of our daily 
occupations, and the firm resolution of not 
yielding to them, — or the performance of such 
and such acts of most necessary virtue, — form 
the most practically important point in our 
morning devotions, — so the examination of 
our conscience, at the end of the day, and 

53 



54 



EVENING PKAYER. 



on our fidelity to these same resolutions, is 
what is most needful and beneficial in Night 
Prayers. They should all either form a pre- 
paration to this review of the day, the ex- 
pression of our heartfelt grief at our infidelity, 
or of devout thanksgiving to the Almighty 
Goodness, when, through his aid, we have 
been faithful to our resolves of the morning. 

The Morning Exercise is but the presenting 
of one's self before the King of kings and his 
court to receive his orders, to understand pre- 
cisely on what points we are to serve him 
most especially during the day : the Evening 
Exercise brings us back to the same Presence, 
to examine beneath his eye in how far we 
have done his will, kept ourselves from evil, 
accomplished the things we judged most salu- 
tary to ourselves, most glorious to him, and 
most edifying to the neighbor, — or defiled our 
souls by new sins. If so, it behooves us not to 
leave that presence till we have, by heartfelt 
humiliation and deep contrition, washed our 
hearts from guilt, implored the divine forgive- 
ness, and the pity of the heavenly court, and 
renewed our determination to make amends on 
the morrow. 

Fear not, you have done all this evil : but 
yet depart not from following the Lord, but 
serve the Lord with all your heart. — 1 Kings, 
xii. 20. 

Wash thy heart from wickedness, . . . that 
thou mayst be saved : how long shall hurt- 
ful thoughts abide in thee ? — Jeremias, iv. 14 



ACT OF ADORATION AND PRAYER. 55 

The soul that is sorrowful for the great- 
ness of evil she hath done, and goeth bowed 
down, and feeble, and the eyes that fail, and 
the hungry soul — giveth glory and justice to 
thee, the Lord.— Baruch, ii. 18. 

In the name of the Father, and of 
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 
Amen. 

ACT OF ADORATION A^D PRAISE. 

OMY God, my Creator, my Father, 
who reignest on high amid the 
myriads of thy angels and saints, here 
I come at the end of another day, to 
render thy Divine Majesty an account 
of my soul and my soul's service since 
the morning light. 

0 most glorious and almighty Lord, 
all unworthy though I be to utter thy 
Holy Name with my sinful lips, or to 
join in the everlasting hymn of praise 
and adoration that rises up to thee from 
thy most blessed city of the heavens, — ■ 
yet do I too adore thee with all the 



56 THANKSGIVING AND REGRET. 

powers of my soul, and unite the voice 
of my lips and my heart in that chorus 
of praise which resounds above eter- 
nally. Oh ! may all who know thee in 
heaven and on earth bless and exalt 
thy greatness and goodness now and for 
evermore ; and may all who know thee 
not and love thee not come at length to 
the knowledge of thy infinite perfec- 
tions and the love of that goodness and 
mercy which is the life of the world. 

THANKSGIVING AND REGRET. 

OH ! what hast thou not done for me, 
God as thou art, that it was in thy 
power to do ? From all eternity thou 
didst think of creating me ; of calling 
me to thy holy faith ; of surrounding 
me with so many means of knowing 
thee perfectly, of serving and glorifying 
thee before men by a truly Christian 
life ; and of reaching at length that 
eternal kingdom where thou doest ever- 



CONFUSION. 57 

lastingly the will of those who have 
done thy will here below. 

What use have I made of thy gifts ? 
What have I done with my life ? In 
whose service have my years besn 
spent ? What have I done with this soul 
of mine, purchased back from hell by 
the blood and death-agony of Jesus 
Christ ? What have I done with his 
graces, his teaching, his examples, his 
sacraments, and the continual inspira- 
tions of his Holy Spirit ? 

COKFUSIO^. 

IN" what state do I kneel here before 
thee, — before that holy multitude of 
angels and saints looking down on me ? 
Like a servant, unfaithful and treach- 
erous, discovered in betraying his mas- 
ter, and dragged for sentence before 
him by his fellow-servants ; like a 
son loved and favored beyond all the 
household, and convicted in his father's 
presence of basest ingratitude and un- 



58 PETITION FOR LIGHT. 

natural rebellion. So stand I before 
thee and thy court, a base and faithless 
servant, an ungrateful and unnatural 
child. 

PETITION POE, LIGHT TO K^OW OKE'S 
SOTS. 

OGOD who art the truth, the light, 
and the unapproachable holiness, 
— grant me to see myself as my sins 
have made me, to know the wickedness 
of these sins and how hateful they ren- 
der me in thy sight ; enable me to 
know the vanity and treachery of the 
world which is thy enemy and the 
seducer of souls, — that I may turn 
away from evil, and give my heart and 
my life to thee, 0 the only true and 
living God, and the sole supreme 
good ! 

[Here pause a short space to examine your 
conscience. How. have vou kept your resolu- 
tions of the morning ? . . . Have you been 
faithful in avoiding all the occasions leading 



CONTRITION. 



59 



to your habitual sin ? . . . The places and 
persons that you knew to be ever your great- 
est danger ? . . . Have you performed, as 
you purposed, the acts of the virtue contrary 
to your own weakness ? . . . How have you 
behaved in your business, at table, in conver- 
sation? . . . How have you discharged the 
obligations of your calling and condition ? . . . 

Remember, — if you are at all serious-minded 
and sincerely bent on self -improvemont, — that 
this examination need not occupy more than a 
few seconds. For, being such, before you 
have knelt down to your night prayers, you 
must have present to you every serious fault 
or omission of the day. A single glance will, 
therefore, bring before you these deliberate 
sins of commission or omission ; and you must 
beware of losing in a fruitless search for sins 
you have forgotten the precious time w T hich you 
must now employ in " washing your heart" 
by perfect contrition from the evil which de- 
files it. It is more important than words can 
tell, that we should not lie down to rest with- 
out renewing our soul by these deep and gen- 
erous sentiments of shame, and grief, and 
love, — which enter into the supernatural 
sorrow that reconciles the guilty soul with 
God.] 

COXTRITIO^. 

AH ! my good and holy God, has not 
this day been like so many others, 
darkened by my ingratitude and base- 



60 HA YE RECOURSE TO JESUS, 

ness toward thee ? Haye I not been to- 
day, as in the past, like a leper all hide- 
ous with his loathsome disease, contami- 
nating every spot along the road I have 
traveled, offending by my corruption 
or inoculating with its virulence every 
person with whom I came into contact? 
And how long is this going to continue, 
0 my too-patient Lord and Judge ? 

HAVE RECOURSE TO JESUS YOUR 
SAVIOUR. 

0 JESUS, I dare not lift my eyes to 
thee where thou sittest near the 
Father, — nor dare I seek for an inter- 
cessor in the holy ranks of saints around 
thee. But I know that thou art there 
pleading for me, showing thy hands and 
thy feet, and thy mangled brow, and 
the rent in thy side . . • 0 head of my 
Saviour crowned with thorns for my 
sake, how vain do I render all the ago- 
nizing anguish 'you endured ! 0 heart 
which took all our woes upon thyself, 



LOVE TO THE ETERNAL FATHER. 61 

how long shall I continue to flood thee 
with fresh bitterness and grief ? 

Heart pierced even in death for love 
of me, can I find in my cold heart no 
return for such unutterable generosity 
as thine ? Am I never to do anything 
for thee, 0 Saviour, 0 Love crucified, 
that may blot out the fearful debt of 
the past ? 

L0YE, — TOWARD THE ETERNAL FATHER. 

AND thou, 0 Father of my Lord 
and Eedeemer, who gavest him to 
the bitter cross for my sake, why didst 
thou love so utterly one, who even now, 
here at thy feet and in presence of all 
thy blessed, scarcely can bring himself 
to feel confusion or grief for his mon- 
strous ingratitude, or love for the love 
thou hast borne him in time and eter- 
nity ! And yet, I do love thee, 0 
Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, — I love 
thee who gavest him to me to be all 
my own ; — I love thee for that incom- 



62 ASK THE INTERCESSION OF MARY. 



parable love of thine, which yearns to 
give thyself to me in eternity as the 
crown of all thy fatherly tenderness and 
providence. 0 Jesus, passionate lover 
of our souls, I do love thee ; I hate my- 
self for all these offenses, which dis- 
honor thy Father and thyself, and 
render vain all thy labors and suffering 
for my sake. 

RESOLUTION OF AMENDMENT. 

I WILL overcome my sinful self, and 
punish it. To-morrow shall not be 
like to-day. Oh! help me, Father of 
my soul, and take pity on my weak- 
ness. 

ASK THE INTERCESSION OF THE B. Y. 
MARY. 

A ]STD thou, sweet Mother of the incar- 



the crib of Bethlehem, and stand ago- 
nized beneath 'the cross of thy Son on 
Calvary, I presume to come near to. thy 




nate Mercy, who didst kneel beside 



LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 63 



seat and to implore thy intercession, 
beseeching all thy children around thee 
in heaven to plead also for my soul. 



©he ptang 0f the ^kmil Tmxn. 



Kyrie eleison. 
Kyrie eleison. 
Christe eleison. 
Christe eleison. 
Kyrie eleison. 
Kyrie eleison. 
Christe, audi nos. 
Christe, exaudi nos. 



Lord have mercy on us. 
Lord have mercy on us. 
Christ have mercy on us. 
Christ have mercy on us. 
Lord have mercy on us. 
Lord have mercy on us. 
Christ hear us. 
Christ graciously hear 



Pater de coelis Deus, 
Fili Redemptor mundiS' 
Deus, § 
Spiritus Sancte Deus, 2 
Sancta Trmitas, unus^ 
; Deus, 

Sancta Maria, 
Sancta Dei Genitrix, 
Sancta Virgo virginum, 
Mater Christi, 
Mater divmaegratise, 1 
Mater purissima, 
Mater castissima, 
Mater inviolata, 
Mater intemerata, 
Mater amabilis, 



God theFather of heaven, ^ 
God the Son, Redeemer^ 
of the world, § 
God the Holy Ghost, 
Holy Trinity, one God, ? 



Holy Mary, 
Holy Mother of God, 
Holy Virgin of virgins, 
Mother of Christ, 
Mother of divine grace, 
Mother most pure, 
Mother most chaste, 
Mother inviolate, 
Mother undefiled, 
Mother most amiable, 



ha 
V. 



64 LITANY OF THE BLESSED VERGEST. 



Mater admirabilis, 

Mater Creatoris, 

Mater Salvatoris, 

Virgo priulentissima, 

Virgo vcneranda, 

Virgo pnedicanda, 

Virgo potens, 

Virgo clemens, 

Virgo fidelis, 

Speculum justitise, 

Seeds sapientice, 

Causa n6strae lsetitiae, 

Vas spiritual e, 

Vas honorabiie, 

Vas insigne devotionis, 5 s 

Rosa mystica, ^ 
Turns Davidica, a 
Turris ebumea, 
Domus aurea, c£* 
Foederis area, 
Janua coeli, 
Stella matutma, 
S al u s infir m orum , 
Ref ugium peccatorum, 
Consolatrix afflietoram, 
Auxflium Christianor- 
um. 

Regina Angelorum, 
Regina Patriarcharum, 
Regina Prophetarum, 
Regina Apostolorum, 
Regina Martyrum. • 
Regina Confessorum, 



Mother most admirable, 

Mother of our Creator, 

Mother of our Saviour, 

Virgin most prudent, 

Virgin most venerable. 

Virgin most renowned. 

Virgin most powerful , 

Virgin most merciful. 

Virgin most faithful, 

Mirror of justice, 

Seat of wisdom, 

Cause of our joy, 

Spiritual Vessel, 

Vessel of honor. 

Vessel of singular devo- 
tion, 

Mystical Rose, 

Tower of David, 

Tower of ivory. 

House of gold, 

Ark of the covenant, 

Gate of heaven, 

Morning star. 

Health of the sick, 

Refuge of sinners, 

Comforter of the afflict- 
ed, 

Help of Christians, 
Queen of Angels, 
Queen of Patriarchs, 
Queen of Prophets, 
Queen of Apostles, 
Queen of Martyrs, 
Queen of Confessors, 



LITANY OF THE "VIRGIN MART. 65 

Reglna Virginum, ^ Queen of Virgins, 

Regma Sanctorum om- g Queen of all Saint?, g 
nium, * ^ 

Regina sine labe origi- §=> Queen conceived without ^ 
original sin, ? 
Lamb of God, who takest 
aw r ay the sins of the 
world, 
Spare us, 0 Lord. 
Lamb of God, who tak- 
est away the sins of the 
world, 
Graciously hear us, 0 
Lord. 

Lamb of God, who tak- 
est away the sins of 
the world. 
Have mercy on us. 
Christ hear us. 
Christ graciously hear 
us. 

V. Pray for us, 0 holy Mother of 
God. 

E. That we may be made worthy of 
the promises of Christ. 

Let us pray: Almighty and most 
merciful God, who, for the defense of 
the Christian people, hast in a marvel- 
ous manner raised up a perpetual help 
in the most blessed Virgin Mary, — of 
5 



nale concepta, 
Agnus Dei, qui tollis pec. 
cata mundi, 

Parce nobis, Domine. 
Agnus Dei, qui tollis pec- 
cata mundi, 

Exaudi nos, Domine. 

Agnus Dei, qui tollis pec- 
cata mundi, 

Wiserere nobis. 
Christe, audi nos. 
Christi, exaudi nos. 



66 ASK THE INTERCESSION OF ANGELS. 

thy goodness grant that we being de- 
fended by her powerful protection dur- 
ing the warfare of this life, may be 
enabled to gain the victory over our 
malignant enemy at the hour of our 
death. Through Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

ASK THE INTERCESSION OF ST. JOSEPH. 

BLESSED Joseph, I also beseech thee 
to unite thy supplication in my 
behalf with that of thy worshiped 
spouse and companion Mary. What 
can Jesus refuse to your joint entrea- 
ties ? And on what more needy soul 
can his grace come down ? 

OF THE ANGELS AND SAINTS. 

PRAY for me also, 0 ye glorious ser- 
vants and friends of God, — angels 
and saints, inhabitants of the eternal 
city. Oh ! that I may begin at length 
to imitate your fidelity and generosity 



A PRAYER FOR A HAPPY DEATH. 67 

in the service of my benefactor, my 
Father, and my King ! 

A PRAYER TO THE HOLY TRIXITY KEVER 
TO BE OMITTED POR OBTATJSTI^TG A 
HAPPY DEATH. 

OETEKNAL Father, I beseech thee 
by thy infinite goodness, as well as 
by the life and death of thy beloved 
Son, grant me the favor of living and 
dying in thy grace. Amen. 

0 most merciful Jesus, by the love 
which thy Father bore thee from all 
eternity, and by thy last words on 
the cross committing thy soul to his 
Fatherly embrace, receive, I beseech 
thee, my spirit at my last hour. Amen. 

0 Holy Ghost, kindle in me now the 
fire of perfect charity, permit it not ever 
to die in my heart, and make it inflame 
my whole being at the hour of my 
death. Amen. 
0 most Holy Trinity, one living God, 



68 PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH. 

have mercy on me now and at the hour 
of my death. Amen. 

PRAYER FOR ENEMIES, FRIENDS, AND 
THE CHURCH. 

OGOD, who art the infinite and un- 
created charity, I protest in thy 
presence that I forgiye from the bottom 
of my heart all those who have in any 
way injured me in my temporal or 
eternal interests. I beseech thee to be- 
stow on them and on all who may be 
my enemies thy choicest blessings, and 
the grace of knowing and loving thee 
perfectly. 

Bless also those whom I may have 
wronged in word or deed, or scandalized 
by my unworthy conduct. 0 my God, 
permit them not to be separated from 
thee through fault of mine. 

Pour forth thy mercy on all who are 
bound to me by blood, affinity, holy 
friendship or close neighborhood, bind 
all our hearts to thee in true loye and 



PRAYER FOR CONSTITUTED AUTHORITIES. 69 



faithful service, and enable us to live in 
perpetual peace and charity here below, 
that we shall not be separated from each 
other and from thee in thine everlasting 
kingdom. 

Grant an increase of wisdom, forti- 
tude, and divine prudence to all who 
govern thy Church. Protect our holy 
father the Pope in his many perils and 
difficulties. Thou who boldest in thy 
hand the hearts of nations and rulers, 
show thy power in upholding the liberty 
of thy Church, and the independence 
of thy Vicar on earth. 

FOR THE POPE. 

0 JESUS, Mary, Joseph, — who con- 
stituted God's first and most blessed 
family on earth, — protect the Pope, and 
defend the Church. 

FOR THE CONSTITUTED AUTHORITIES. 

GRANT also to our temporal rulers the 
knowledge of thy truth, that super- 



TO PRAYER FOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 

natural wisdom which shall ever prevent 
them from setting the interests of earth 
above those of Heaven. Grant us peace, 
and justice, and the love of order, and 
heartfelt obedience to all just law and 
authority. 

Grant that all who know thee may 
increase in knowledge and love of thee ; 
and that their light may so shine as to 
bring to thy truth and thy service all 
who are still in darkness. Oh ! may 
thy kingdom come for all ! and thy will 
be done by all the children of men, as 
it is by thy blessed in heaven ! 

POR THE SOULS IN PUKGATORY. 

EXTEXD also thy gracious clemency 
to the souls in purgatory ; from 
out the infinite merits of thy Son 
Jesus, and those of his immaculate 
Mother and all the saints, grant to 
these, thy dear sufferers, refreshment, 
rest, and the end of their purgation. 



PRAYER FOR PERSONS DYING. 71 



FOE PERSON'S 1ST DANGER OF DEATH. 

OH ! be merciful likewise to all who 
are now at their last hour or in im- 
minent danger of death : send thy holy 
angels to defend them from the attacks 
of the enemy; grant them light to know 
thy most fatherly goodness, and the 
wickedness of their own transgressions, 
grant them true sorrow and perfect 
charity, and all the ministrations of thy 
Holy Church. 

And from thy throne, 0 God of the 
living and the dead, bless me, — that my 
eyes may never close in the eternal 
death, — that, waking or sleeping, my 
heart may be wholly thine. 

Before retiring" make the sign of the cross 
on yourself with holy water, which you should 
always endeavor to have near your bed, — 
using it both morning and evening, — and 
bearing in mind whenever you do so, that this 
water is symbolical of the blood of Christ, the 
source of all spiritual cleanness, health, and 
strength, the saving virtues of which the true 
Christian desires to apply to himself by the 
sign of the cross and the use of holy water. 



% Short Sovm of Ntgljt Jprager. 



In the name of the Father, and of 
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
Our Father. Hail Mary. I believe in 
God. 

ADORATION. 

T COME to thy feet once more, 0 
A Eternal Majesty, to pay thee the 
homage of my reverence and adoration. 
All unworthy as I am, I presume to 
unite my voice with that of the multi- 
tude of thy angels and saints, adoring, 
praising, blessing thee without cessa- 
tion, 0 holy and almighty Lord of hea- 
ven and earth. 

THANKSGIVING. 

THOU hast added another day to the 
life which- 1 hold of thee. Thou 
hast added precious opportunities and 

72 



EXAMINATION. 73 

graces to all the countless favors lav- 
ished on me. Would that my life, every 
day and hour, were a hymn of thanks- 
giving to thy unwearied generosity ! 
Would that my actions shone before 
men and angels so as to glorify thee, 0 
my Creator, Benefactor, and Father ! 

EXAMINATION. 

GKAKT me, I beseech thee, through 
the united merits of Christ and of 
all the Church of heaven, to see how 
little my life tallies with my belief and 
profession. Enable me, 0 Holy Spirit, 
to discover wherein I have failed this 
day to correspond with thy inspirations, 
with my own resolutions, and to fulfill 
all my duties. 

Here examine your conscience briefly, as 
above, page 58. If you have been faithful to 
the resolutions formed in the morning, and if 
God's grace lias enabled you to avoid deliber- 
ate sin throughout the day, — return thanks in 
a few heartfelt words to the divine Goodness ; 
— if you have failed in your resolutions, 
or have otherwise deliberately offended the 



74 



ACT OF CONTRITION. 



Divine Majesty, then, as heartily ask forgive- 
ness, and let no feeling of your own weakness 
of purpose or discouragement prevent you 
from renewing your determination to begin 
the work of self-amendment with increased 
generosity and fervor. 

ACT OF CONTRITION. 

OGOODXESS which never wearies 
in bestowing favors on one so un- 
grateful as I am, do not cast me off 
from thee ! Let shame and confusion 
cover my face, as I kneel here in thy 
presence and that of thy heavenly 
court. I confess my ingratitude and 
wickedness so opposed to thy incompre- 
hensible generosity and patience. 

0 Father of my crucified Lord and 
Saviour, Jesus Christ, by the infinite 
love which prompted thee to give him 
up to the death of the cross for this sin- 
ful soul of mine, vouchsafe to touch my 
heart with shame and grief for all my 
baseness. 

0 Jesus nailed to the bitter cross for 



ACT OF CONTRITION. 75 

me, with my lips pressed in spirit to 
thy pierced feet, let me feel some drops 
of thy cleansing blood fall upon me ! 
God of charity, God of charity, how 
thou hast loyed me ! and how thou 
lovest me still, to bear with me in spite 
of all my black ingratitude ! . . . Oh ! 
that I could feel this wretched heart of 
mine break with sorrow or melt with 
compassion, as I think on thy wounds, 
thy death, thy great love, and then 
look on myself ! 

What is it thou askest of me ? V . ; 
To be worthy of thee. To live before 
men and angels, as befits one who be- 
lieves in thee and calls himself a fol- 
lower and child of thine. Shall I not 
begin from this very moment ? Shall 
I not live to-morrow and every day of 
my life in such a manner as to pay 
some part of the immense debt which I 
owe to thyself and thy most loving 
Father ? I will, my Saviour : such is 
my resolution. 



76 PRATER TO YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL. 



PRAYER FOR PERSEVERANCE TO THE 
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. 

IXEED your motherly protection 
and kind intercession, 0 Mary Im- 
maculate, 0 fondest lover- of thy Son 
and of all the souls for which he died. 
Give me a share of the pity of that 
heart of thine. Am I not weak enough, 
sinful enough, wretched enough to de- 
serve thy compassion ? Plead for me 
then, 0 Mother of Mercy, while I here 
kneel in sorrow at thy feet. 

Litanv of the B. V. Marv, as above, page 68. 

A PRAYER TO YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL. 

OAXGEL of God, to whose holy care 
I am committed by the supreme 
clemency, enlighten, defend, and pro- 
tect me this night from all sin and dan- 
ger. Amen. 

THE BLESSING. 

OGOD the Father bless me; Jesus 
Christ defend and keep me ; the 



PRAYER AT SETTLING TO SLEEP. 77 

virtue of the Holy Ghost enlighten and 
sanctify me this night and forever. 
Amen. 

Into thy hands, 0 Lord, I commend 
my spirit. Lord Jesus, receive my 
soul. 

WHE!N" YOU GO TO BED, SAY : 

IN the name of our Lord Jesus Christ 
crucified, I lay me clown to rest ! 
Bless me, 0 Lord, defend and govern 
me, and, after this short and miserable 
pilgrimage, bring me to everlasting 
happiness. Amen. 

A PRATER AT SETTLING TO SLEEP. 

OLOKD JESUS CHRIST, whose un- 
wearied eye neither slumbers nor 
sleeps, but continually watches in de- 
fense of thy servants, take me and 
mine, I beseech thee, into thy protec- 
tion, and grant that whilst my body is 
asleep my soul may be awake to thee, 
and that I may hereafter behold thee in 
that blessed and heavenly country where 



TS 



PRAYEK AT SETTLING TO SLEEP. 



thou with the Father and the Holy 
Ghost, art eternally governor, and 
where all the angels, with the blessed 
saints, are citizens forever. Amen. 

N.B. — When you are in bed, and cannot 
sleep, employ your thoughts in some spiritual 
exercise, or in saying the beads, or some other 
prayers ; or in meditating on some passage of 
our Saviour's life and passion : particularly 
how he spent that night wherein he was taken 
in the garden ; or else you may think on the 
painful state of the souls in hell or purga- 
tory. 



(Ejaculatorg |Jrager0. 



TO BE USED THROUGHOUT THE DAY 
ACCORDING TO THE SOUL'S NEED 
OR DEVOTION. 

Note. — Nothing is more efficacious to ward off temp- 
tation, to refresh and sustain the sonl under trial, in 
sickness, despondency, or difficulty of any kind, — than 
these fervent cries of the heart to God. They express 
all the purposes of prayer, — adoration, praise, thanks- 
giving, sorrow, and petitions for our every present need. 
The very Latin word (jacirfum, a dart or javelin) from 
which the term is derived, will clearly teach the mean- 
ing and value of ejaculatory prayers : they are like in- 
flamed darts and arrows which the human heart shoots 
upward to the throne of grace, piercing the heart of the 
Creator with love or pity, and calling down on us the 
grace needed at the present moment. 

1. TO OBTAIN" FORGIVENESS OF SIN. 

" rpHE sins of my youth and my igno- 
J- ranees do not remember." — Ps. 
xxiv. 7. 

" Look upon me and have mercy on 
me ; for I am alone and poor." — Ibid. 
16. 

"0 Lord, be thou merciful to me; 

79 



80 EJACULATORY PRAYERS. 

heal my soul, for I hare sinned against 
thee."— Ps. xl. 5. 

" Have mercy on me. 0 God. accord- 
ing to thy great mercy. " — Ps. I. L 

"Let thy tender mercies come unto 
me, and I shall live. " — Ps. cxviii. 77. 

"I have gone astray like a sheep 
that is lost : seek thy servant ! " — Ibid. 
176. 

"Enter not into judgment with thy 
servant : for in thy sight no man living 
shall be justified. " — Ps. cxlii. 2. 

"I will arise, and go to my Father, 
and say to him : Father. I have sinned 
against heaven, and before thee ! I am 
not now worthy to be called thy son ! " 
—St. LuTce xv. 18. 19. 

"Jesus. Son of David, have mercy on 
me." — St. Luke xviii. 38. 

2. TO OBTAIH HUMILITY. 

" T AM a worm, and no man : the re- 
-L proach of men. and the outcast of 
the people." — Ps. xxi. 7. 



TROUBLE AXD SOEEOW. 81 

"It is good for me that thou hast 
humbled me." — Ps. cxviii. 76. 

"He [our Lord Jesus Christ] hum- 
bled himself, becoming obedient unto 
death. — even to the death of the cross ! " 
— PMlippians ii. 8. And I could be 
■proud ! 

3. TO ATTAIN TO A EIGHT ESTIMATION 
OF THE PBESENT LITE. 

se Y\ E are sojourners before thee. 

' ' and strangers as were all our 
fathers. Our days upon the earth are 
as a shadow, and there is no stay. " — 
1 P err o.lq? omen on xxix. 15. 

*• Declare unto me the fewness of my 
days. Call me not away in the midst 
of my days. " — Ps. ci. 2i, '2b. 

'•'Let my soul die the death of the 
just, and my last end be like to them." 
— Xumlers xxiii. 10. 

4. IN TEOrBLE AND SOEEO\V. 

" IT AVE mercy on me, 0 Lord, for I 
am weak ! 
6 



82 EJACULATORY PRAYERS. 



" Heal me, 0 Lord, — for my bones are 
troubled, 

" And my soul is troubled exceeding- 
ly ! »—Ps. yi. 3, 4. 

"My strength is dried up like a pot- 
sherd, and my tongue hath cleaved to 
my jaws : and thou hast brought me 
down into the dust of death."— Ps. 
xxi. 16. 

" Lord, all my desire is before thee ; 
and my groaning is not hid from thee." 
— Ps. xxxyii. 10. 

"Why art thou sad, 0 my soul, and 
why dost thou disquiet me ? Hope in 
God . . . the salvation of my coun- 
tenance and my God ! " — Ps. xlii. 5, 6. 

" Woe is me, wretch that I am ! For 
the Lord hath added sorrow to my sor- 
row. I am wearied with my groans, 
and I find no rest." — Jeremias xly. 3. 

"My soul is sorrowful unto death. 
Stay you here and watch with me. " — 
St. Matthew xxvi. 38. 

"Eestore unto me the joy of thy sal- 



TO PRACTICE RESIGNATION. 83 

vation : and strengthen me with a per- 
fect spirit. " — Ps. 1. 14. 

5. TO PRACTICE RESIGNATION. 

" TT is I. Be not afraid !" 

"It is the Lord : let him do what 
is good in his sight." — 1 Kings iii. 18. 

6 6 But if he say to me, 6 Thou pleasest 
me not/' — I am ready ! Let him do that 
which is good before him." — 2 Kings 
xv. 26. 

"My heart is ready, 0 God : my heart 
is ready. " — Ps. lvi. 8. 

"As it shall be the will of God in 
heaven, so be it done ! " — 1 Macha- 
bees iii. 60. 

" My Father ! ... not as I will 
but as thou I"— Si. Matthew xxvi. 39. 

"My Father . . . thy will be 
done !"— Bid. 42. 

"Lord, what wilt thou have me to 
do ?"— Acts ix. 6. 



84 EJACULATORY PRAYERS. 



6. WHE2T Itf KEED OF PATIENCE. 

" rpHE Lord gave, and the Lord hath. 

-L taken away : As it pleased the 
Lord, so is it done. Blessed be the 
name of the Lord ! " — Job i. 21. 

" If we hare received good things at 
the hand of God, why should we not 
receive evil ? "■ — Ibid. ii. 10. 

" "Why fearest thou to take up the 
Cross, by which alone thou canst enter 
into the kingdom?'' — Imitation of 
Christ, ii. 12. 

"He is gone before thee, carrying 
his cross !" — Ibid. 

" Naked, follow Jesus naked, that 
thou mayst die to thyself, and eternally 
live to me." — Ibid. iii. 37. 

" I am sufficient to recompense thee 
beyond all bounds and measure." — Ibid. 

" It is not long that thou shalt labor 
here." — Ibid. 



IN TIME OF TEMPTATION. 85 



" Wait a little, and thou shalt see a 
speedy end of suffering." — Ibid. 

" I will take the chalice of salvation : 
and i will call upon the name of the 
Lord." — Ps. cxy. 4. 

7. IX TIME OF TEMPTATION. 

" fTlHE Lord be merciful to me. that 

J- I may do no such thing ! " — 1 
Kings xxiv. 7. 

" Strengthen me, 0 Lord God of Is- 
rael, and in this hour look on the work 
of my hands ! " — Judith xiii. 7. 

"Have mercy on me, 0 Lord, because 
I am weak. " — Ps. vi. 2. 

" By thee I shall be delivered from 
temptation/" — Ps. xvii. 30. 

"Save me, 0 God; for the waters 
are come in even unto my soul." — Ps. 
lxviii. 1. 

" I will love thee, 0 Lord, my 
strength ! v — Ps. xvii. 1. 

" My God is my helper, and in him 
will I put my trust ! " — Ibid. 3. 



86 



EJACTTLATORY PRAYERS. 



" Praisings I will call upon the Lord: 
and I shall be saved from my enemies. " 
—Ibid. 4. 

"Deliver not up to beasts the souls 
that confess to thee : and forget not to 
the end the souls of thy poor." — Ps. 
lxxiv. 19. 

" Turn away my eyes that they may 
not behold vanity; quicken me in thy 
wa y ! "— Ps. exviii. 37. 

8. TRUST IX GOD. 

ALTHOUGH he should kill me, I 
will trust in him." — Job xiii. 

15. 

" Though I should walk in the midst 
of the shadow of death I will fear no 
evil : for thou art with me." — Ps. 
xxii. 4. 

" It is good for me to stick close to 
my God : to put my hope in the Lord 
God."— Ps. lxxii. 28. 

" Believe God, and he will recover 



EXERCISE OF FEAR OF THE LORD, 87 



thee : and direct thy way, and trust in 
him." — Ecclesiasticus ii. 1. 

" Show forth thy wonderful mercies, 
thou who sayest them that trust in 
thee ! "— Ps. xyi. 7. 

9, THE EXERCISE OF THE FEAR OF THE 
LORD. 

" WHAT shall I do when God shall 
' » rise to judge ? and when he 
shall examine what shall I answer 
him I"— Job xxi. 14. 

"I have always feared God as waves 
swelling over me : and his weight I was 
not able to bear." — Ibid. 23. 

" The sorrows of hell encompassed 
me : and the snares of death prevented 
me." — Ps. xvii. 6. 

"Pierce thou my flesh with thy 
fear : for I am afraid of thy judg- 
ments." — Ps. cxviii. 120. 

"What else will that fire devour but 
thy sins ? " — Imitation of Christ, b. i., 
c.xxiv. 



88 EJACULATOKY PRAYERS. 

"The more thou sparest thyself now, 
. . . the more fuel dost thou lay up for 
that fire." — Ibid. 

"There one hour of punishment will 
be more grievous than a hundred years 
of the most bitter penance here." — Ibid. 

10. GUARD OVER OXE*S TOXGUE. 

" T SAID, I will take heed to my ways : 
J- that I sin not with my tongue. " — 
Ps. xxxviii. 1. 

"'I have set a guard to my mouth, 
when the sinner stood against me." — 
Ibid. 

" I was dumb, and was humbled; and 
kept silence even from good things. 7 ' — 
Ibid. 

"Set a watch, 0 Lord, before my 
mouth ; and a door round about my 
lips.* 7 — Ps. cxl. 3. 

11. TO ASCERTAIN" WHAT IS GOD 7 S WILL 
IX oxe's DOUBTS. 

PERFECT thou my goings in thy 
paths, that my footsteps be not 
moved. 7 ' — Ps. xvi. 5. 



AFTER YOU DECIDE TO SERVE GOD. 89 

"Send forth thy light and thy 
truth ! "— Ps. xlii. 3. 

f? May God have mercy on us and 
bless us ! May he cause the light of his 
countenance to shine upon us ! and may 
he have mercy on us ! " — Ps. lxvi. 1. 

" Teach me to do thy will, for thou 
art my God ! " — Ps. cxlii. 10. 

" Make the way known to me wherein 
I should walk ; for I have lifted up my 
soul to thee." — Ibid. 8. 

"Lord, what wilt thou have me to 
do?"— Acts ix. 6. 

12. AFTER O^E HAS DECIDED TO SERVE 
GOD. 

"TTJEX, 0 my soul, into thy rest ; for 
J- the Lord hath been bountiful to 

thee." — Ps. cxiv. 7. 

"I have chosen to be an abject in the 

house of my God, rather than to dwell 

in the tabernacles of sinners." — Ps. 

lxxxiii. 12. 

"Therefore at the least from this 



90 EJACULATORY PRAYERS. 

time call to me : Tliou art my father." 
—Jeremias iii. 4. 

13. TO RECALL THE PRESENCE OP GOD. 

"WHITHEB shall I go from thy 

* t spirit ? or whither shall I flee 
from thy face ? " — Ps. cxxxyiii. 7. 

" All the ways of man are open to his 
eyes: the Lord is the weigher of spirits." 
— Proverbs xvi. 2. 

"Am I, think ye, a God at hand, — 
saith the Lord,— and not a God afar 
off ? " — Jeremias xxiii. 23. 

" If I ascend up into heaven, thou 
art there : if I descend into hell, thou 
art there. 

"If I take my wings early in the 
morning, and dwell in the uttermost 
parts of the sea : 

" Even there also shall thy hand lead 
me. . . . 

"... Darkness shall not be dark to 
thee, and night shall be light as the 
day."— Ps. cxxxyiii. 9, 10, 12. 



PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING. 91 

" 0 light eternal ! transcending all 
created lights, dart forth that light from 
above, "which may penetrate all the 
secret places of my heart ! 

" Cleanse, cheer, enlighten, and en- 
liven my spirit with its powers, that with 
joyful ecstasy it may cleave to thee. 

" Oh ! when will this blessed and de- 
sirable hour come, that thou mayst fill 
me with thy presence, and become to 
me all in all ? " — Imitation of Christ, 
iii. 34. 

14. PRAISE AiTD THANKSGIVING. 

" A MY truth, and my mercy ! my 
V God ! 0 blessed Trinity ! to thee 
alone be all praise, honor, power, and 
glory, for endless ages of ages ! " — Imi- 
tation, iii. 40. 

" Let my mouth be filled with praise, 
that I may sing thy glory ; — thy great- 
ness all the day long." — Ps. lxx. 8. 

" I will sing to the Lord as long as I 
live ! "— Ps. ciii. 33. 



92 EJACULATORY PRAYERS. 



" The Lord is my strength and my 
praise, and he is become salvation to 
me : 

" He is my God, and I will glorify 
him ! the God of my father, and I will 
exalt him ! " — Exodus xy. 2. 

" Thine, 0 Lord, is magnificence, 
and power, and glory, and victory : and 
to thee is praise ! " — Paralipomenon 
xxix. 11. 

"Now, therefore, our God, we give 
thanks to thee, and we praise thy glori- 
ous name ! " — Ibid. 13. 

" Blessed be the name of the Lord 
from eternity and for evermore : for 
wisdom and fortitude are his ! " — Daniel 
ii. 20. 

"We shall say much, and yet shall 
want words: but the sum of our words 
is — he is &\\"—Ecciesiasticus xliii. 29. 

" My God and my all ! To one that 
understandeth, sufficient is said : to one 
that loveth, to repeat it often is delight- 
ful." — Imitation, iii. 34. 



THE LOVE OF GOD. 



98 



15. THE LOVE OF GOD A3sTD THE DESIRE 
OF THE HEAVEKLY BEATITUDES. 

"TF I have found favor in thy sight, 

J- show me thy face, that I may 
know thee ! " — Exodus xxxiii. 13. 

' ' My heart hath said to thee, My face 
hath sought thee : thy face, 0 Lord, 
will I seek." — Ps. xxyi. 8. 

" One thing I have asked of the Lord, 
this will I seek after, that I may dwell 
in the house of the Lord all the days of 
my life ! that I may see the delight of 
the Lord and visit his temple." — Ibid. 4. 

"As the hart panteth after the foun- 
tains of waters, so my soul panteth after 
thee, 0 God. 

"My soul hath thirsted after the 
strong living God ; when shall I come 
and appear before the face of God ? " 
— Ps. xli. 1, 2. 

" What have I in heaven ? and be- 
sides thee what do I desire upon 
earth ? 



94 EJACULATORY PRAYERS. 



" [For tliee] my flesh and iny heart 
have fainted away : thou art the God of 
my heart, and the God that is my por- 
tion forever ! " — Ps. lxxii. 25, 26. 

" How lovely are thy tabernacles, 0 
Lord of hosts ! my soul longeth and 
fainteth for the courts of the Lord ! " 
— Ps. Ixxxviii. 1. 

"Blessed are they that dwell in thy 
house, 0 Lord: they shall praise thee 
forever and ever !" — Ibid. 5. 

"Better is one day in thy courts 
above thousands ! " — Ibid. 10. 

"Woe is me, that my sojourning is 
prolonged ! " — Ps. cxix. 5. 

" Bring my soul out of prison, that I 
may praise thy name." — Ps. cxli. 8. 

"My soul hath desired thee in the 
night." — Isaias xxvi. 9. 

" Unhappy man that I am, who shall 
deliver me from the body of this 
death ? " — Romans vii. 24. 

"0 most blissful abode of the city 



THE LOYE OF GOD. 



95 



which is above ! 0 most bright day of 
eternity !' 

" Oh! that this day would shine forth, 
and that all these things of time would 
come to an end ! 

"0 good Jesus, when shall I stand to 
behold thee ? when shall I contemplate 
the glory of thy kingdom ? when wilt 
thou be all in all to me ? " — Imitation, 
iii. 48. 



!H£Dottott0 at iilla00. 



And they shall call Ms name Emmanuel, 
which being interpreted is, 'God with us.' — St. 
Matthew i. 23. 

From the rising of the sun even to the going 
down [thereof], my name is great among the 
Gentiles ; and in every place there is sacrifice, 
and there is offered to my name a clean offer- 
ing : for my name is great among the Gentiles, 
saith the Lord of hosts. — Malachias i. 11. 

It is the most blissful privilege of the fol- 
lowers of Christ to have their divine benefac- 
tor ever present with them, generation after 
generation, on every point of the globe, till 
the end of the period assigned by his provi- 
dence to the trials of our race here below, — 
and to love and worship him in his own di- 
vinest gift as their Emmanuel, ' God with us.' 
To mark their grateful appreciation of this 
gift of himself, the Christian world, as soon 
as it began to breathe freely under Constan- 
tine, hastened to erect all over the empire, 
shrines worthy of containing this treasure of 
their hearts, and eloquent, in every feature of 
construction and decoration, of the double 
purpose for which the gift was bestowed, both 
as a sacrifice and a sacrament. 



90 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 



97 



" This is my body winch is given for you : 
do this for a commemoration of me. In like 
manner the chalice also . . . saying : This is 
the chalice, the new testament in my blood, 
which shall be shed for you." — St. Luke 
xxii. 19, 20. 

" The chalice of benediction which we 
bless, is it not the communion of the blood of 
Christ ? And the bread which we break, is it 
not the partaking of the body of the Lord ? " 
— 1 Corinthians x. 16. 

"As often as you shall eat this bread, and 
drink this chalice, you shall show forth the 
death of the Lord until he come. . . Let a man 
prove himself : and so let him eat of that 
bread, and drink of the chalice." — Ibid. xi. 
26, 28. 

"I am the living bread, which came down 
from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, 
he shall live forever : and the bread that I 
will give, is my flesh for the life of the 
world."— St. John vi. 51, 52. 

What relates to the Holy Eucharist as a 
sacrament, will be found in its proper place 
in the second part of this Treasury : we now 
confine ourselves to showing how the Chris- 
tian soul can best profit by a devout assistance 
at the sacrifice of the Mass. 

What is most important is, that one should 
be thoroughly impressed with the conviction, 
that our Emmanuel is there on the altar for 
the purpose of helping all who come to him 
toward the possession of every gift which the 
faithful soul is most in need of, — light for the 
mind, strength and generosity for the heart ; 



98 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 



the knowledge of God and of one's self ; the 
clear appreciation of the nature of sin, and 
the divine impulses which prompt to the 
practice of all virtues and make their acquisi- 
tion easy. For all this and for ever so much 
more, the God who lived thirty years among 
men at Nazareth, and died on Calvary to save 
and sanctify them, — renews daily his sacrifice 
in an unbloody manner, that every one of us 
may take this divine victim and offer it to the 
Father as a price for whatever is to us most 
needful and most precious. 

It is not required of us, when we assist at 
this "great action" which sets daily before our 
eyes what took place in Jerusalem and on 
Calvary, when our Lord suffered and died for 
us, — that we should follow and understand 
the words and acts of the priest at the altar. 
He is speaking and acting in the place and 
person of Christ ; and his every word and act 
have a mighty, a creative power, as well as a 
deep and pregnant meaning. 

He, our all-sufficient one, becomes also pre- 
sent at the consecration, even when he is not 
already present in the tabernacle, beneath the 
vail of the consecrated elements. This is 
most frequently the case in all our churches, 
so that from our crossing the threshold of the 
sacred edifice; we are really standing face to 
face with the Incarnate God, — with him who 
now acts the part of our most loving Saviour 
— anxious only to save and to sanctify — but 
who will one day be our just and rigorous 
Judge, all the more just and terrible that he 
is now ALL OUR OWN. 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 



9y 



Let us only feel that lie is all this, when we 
enter the holy place, and sign ourselves reve- 
rently with the holy water, — the emblem of 
his saving and cleansing blood. There, on 
the altar, is he who is our Rock and our ref- 
uge, — with the cleft in his side to allow us to 
enter in and approach that unfathomable and 
overflowing heart. In a congregation of 
true believers, during the adorable sacrifice, 
when an angel looks down on the kneeling 
throng of young and old and rich and poor, 
— does he not see all those hearts turned, 
worshipingly, lovingly, yearningly, — toward 
that mighty heaut in which all our names 
are written and in whose depths are the 
mercy, the love, the light and strength we all 
need every day and hour ? Here they are, 
turned toward him, like flowers, after the 
darkness and chill of a long night, opening 
and turning their bosoms to the glorious sun. 

When the great deliverer of the Hebrew 
people, wearied by the inconstancy and ingra- 
titude of the multitude around him, began to 
find his heart fail him in his long trials and 
journeyings, he asked one thing of God, 
" Show me thy glory." The Lord answered, 
" I will show thee all good . . . Behold there 
is a place with me, and thou shalt stand upon 
the rock. And when my glory shall pass I 
will set thee in a hole of the rock and protect 
thee with my right hand till I pass ... Be 
ready in the morning that thou mayst forth- 
with go up into the mount . . . And when 
the Lord was come down in a cloud, Moses 
stood with him, calling upon the name of the 



100 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 



Lord. And when he passed before him, he 
said : Oh ! the Lord, the Lord God, merciful 
and gracious, patient and of much compassion, 
and true! who keepest mercy unto thousands : 
who takest away iniquity, and wickedness, 
and sin, and no man of himself is innocent 
before thee. Who renderest the iniquity of 
the fathers to the children, and to the grand- 
children, unto the third and fourth generation. 
And Moses making haste, bowed down unto 
the earth, and adoring . . . Exodus xxxiii. 
and xxxiv. 

Let us, every day of our lives, if possible, — 
before beginning a new stage on our journey 
toward the heavenly home, — " be ready in the 
morning " to " go up into the mount " of sac- 
rifice, where the Lord himself will show us 
"all good," and make us "stand upon the 
rock/' and set us "in a hole of the rock." 

He will " come down in a cloud," vailed be- 
neath the sacramental elements, and, all too 
soon, "pass before us." Oh ! too short pre- 
sence, and most precious moments, when he, 
the "Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gra- 
cious, patient and of much compassion, and 
true," — our own sweet Jesus, comes down 
with his hands and his heart full of bless- 
ings ! 

Let us, then "make haste, bow down unto 
the earth, adore," and draw near to these 
hands and that heart. 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 



101 



FORM YOUE IXTEXTIOX THUS : 

TOGETHER with all the 
J- masses that have been, are, 
and shall be said throughout the 
whole world, I do offer to thee, 
my God, this holy sacrifice, with 
the intention of my dearest Sav- 
iour, and his holy Church ; in 
honor and acknowledgment of 
thy dominion over me and all 
creatures ; in memoiy of my 
Saviour's humanity and passion ; 
in commemoration of his blessed 
Virgin Mother, and of the saints 
of this solemnity; of my holy 
patrons JV. and N. and of all the 
saints in heaven ; in thanksgiving 
for all thy benefits ; in satisfac- 
tion and propitiation for my sins ; 



102 DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 

for obtaining thy grace and 
special aid in proportion to my 
present necessities [here specify 
your spiritual wants'] ; for the 
need of the Holy Roman Church 
and the freedom of thy vicar on 
earth, as well as for the churches 
suffering persecution throughout 
the world; and for prevailing 
with thy goodness to protect and 
bless me, thy unworthy crea- 
ture, all who are near and dear 
to me, my benefactors, adversa- 
ries, and enemies, "that being 
delivered from the hand of our 
enemies, we may serve thee with- 
out fear, in holiness and justice 
before thee all the days of our 
lives," and may at last die in thy 
favor. 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 103 

I offer also this sacrifice to 
thee, dear Lord, for all that died 
in the unity of the Catholic 
Church, and particularly for the 
souls of my parents, relations, 
benefactors, and all those for 
whom thou wouldst have me of- 
fer it. Eternal rest give to them, 
O Lord, and let perpetual light 
shine upon them. 

With your whole heart and soul intent on 
what is going 1 on at the altar, and forgetting 
so far as you can, the sights and sounds around 
you, begin the coram emoration of Christ's suf- 
ferings with the sign of the cross, making it 
most devoutly with the officiating priest. 

In the name of the Father, and 
of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost. Amen. 

"I will go unto the altar of 
God : to God who giveth joy to 
my youth," Judge me not in thy 



104 DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 

strict justice, O Father of my 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, 
but according; to tlie dictates of 
thy most tender mercy. Grant 
me, tliy adopted child, to see how 
little cause my sins afford me for 
" distinguishing my cause from 
the nation tliat is not holy." 0 
God, who " art my strength," 
there is in my past life but too 
much reason that I should "go 
sorrowful whilst the enemy af- 
flicteth me." Xow that thou 
hast " conducted me and brought 
me unto thy holy mount and 
into thy tabernacles," send forth 
thy light and thy truth, that I 
may see my own soul and judge 
myself here before thee, and be- 
fore the whole court of heaven. 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 105 

Recite the Confiteor with, heartfelt compunc- 
tion, and receive the absolution uttered by the 
priest, as if coining from God's own lips : 

May almighty God liave 
mercy upon you, forgive you 
your sins, and bring you to life 
everlasting. Amen. 

May the almighty and merci- 
ful Lord grant us pardon, absolu- 
tion, and remission of our sins. 
Amen. 

Then continue with the priest the beautiful 
prayer or dialogue which he utters at the foot 
of the altar : 

Thou wilt turn again, O God, 
and quicken us. 

And thy people shall rejoice in 
thee. 

Show us, O Lord, thy mercy, 
And grant us thy salvation. 
O Lord, hear my prayer ! 



106 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 



And let my cry come unto 
thee ! 

Only think of the silent but mighty chorus 
of heart-cries which is going up from the 
multitude prostrate around the altar, to the 
throne of mercy on high ; and let your own cry 
go with these of your brethren and fellow-sin- 
ners. While the priest ascends the altar- 
steps, and proceeds with the beginning of the 
Mass, it is easy for you to occupy your soul 
with the thoughts and affections which will 
come to you spontaneously and sweetly, after 
the foregoing prayers. 

The divine sacrament celebrated in this 
most holy service is fitly called Euclictrist, the 
original Greek word meaning "thanks, grati- 
tude, or praise for benefits received." The 
gift of His Body and Blood bestowed on the 
Church in the Last Supper, sums up in itself 
all the graces and promises of the supernatu- 
ral order. What offering could we make to 
God for all the benefits bestowed and treas- 
ured up for us in time and eternity, more 
grateful to him than his own incarnate Son ? 
Through whom could we more aptly and 
worthily express our praise and thanksgiving 
than through him who was born in the stable 
and died upon the cross for our redemption 
and restoration ? Therefore, with the multi- 
tude of the heavenly host who sang around 
Bethlehem, and worshiped, unseen, on Cal- 
vary, and with the entire Church of the hea- 
venly and the earthly Jerusalem, repeat slowly 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 107 

and sweetly the great hymn of Praise and 
Thanksgiving : 

Glory be to God on high, 

And on earth peace to men of 
good will ! 

We praise thee, we Hess thee, 
we glorify thee ! 

We give thee thanks for thy 
great glory. 

O Lord God, heavenly king, 
God the Father Almighty. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, the only- 
begotten Son. 

O Lord God, Lamb of God, 
Son of the Father, 

Who takest away the sins of 
the world, 

Have mercy on us ! 

Who takest away the sins of 
the world, 



108 DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 



Receive our prayers ! 

Who sittest at the right hand 
of the Father, 

Have mercy on us ! 

For thou only art holy, 

Thou only art the Lord, 

Thou only, O Jesus Christ, to- 
gether with the Holy Ghost, 

Art most high in the glory of 
God the Father. Amen. 

As the priest turns round, after kissing the 
altar, the type of Christ in his sepulchre, and 
utters with outstretched arms the Dominiis 
vobiscum (' the Lord be with you ! '), open your 
soul to the light and peace and sweetness 
which this nearness to God must bring you. 
And then unite all your desires and intentions 
with those of the Church praying for your 
needs in the person of her minister at the 
altar. 

DUEIKG THE COLLECTS. 

0 JESUS, our great High 
Priest, who pleadest for us 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 109 

in tMs unbloody sacrifice, as thou 
didst from thy cross on Calvary, 
take into tliy fatherly heart my 
needs with those of thy entire 
family, and make the voice of 
thy blood speak for us from thine 
altar in heaven as it will present- 
ly speak from thy altar on earth, 
obtain for us increase in faith, — 
to know thee and thy Father 
ever more and more, and a firmer 
and fuller trust in thee, — increase 
in that most blessed hope, which 
shall lift our hearts above the 
fears and attachments of earth 
and set them on the prospect of 
possessing thee eternally, — and, 
above all, an increase in that di- 
vine charity which alone can knit 



110 DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 

thy children together in perfect 
unity of mind and heart. 

Thou seest my soul, O Redeem- 
er, and knowest my life with its 
dangers and coming necessities. 
Oh ! for thine infinite mercy, give 
me light to know my own need 
of thee, and strength to face and 
overcome every trial and danger 
that awaits me ! 

DUKE5TG THE EPISTLE. 

IT is for my instruction and 
comfort, that thou didst send? 
from the beginning of the world 
until now, holy men, prophets, 
apostles, evangelists, and other in- 
spired writers, to announce or ex- 
plain thy will, and lay down for 
us the law of life. Oh ! give me 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. Ill 

the grace to know more and more 
that in the conforming of my will 
to thine, is peace, and strength, 
and light, and length of days. 
O my God, my law and my love, 
increase daily and hourly in my 
soul the horror of everything 
that can offend thee, and the ar- 
dent desire of pleasing thee. 

O glorious company of the 
prophets, apostles, and sacred 
writers, whom I behold with the 
eye of faith around the throne of 
the Lamb on high, I beseech you, 
prostrate here, to listen to the 
fervent supplication which I lay 
before you. By your love for 
that adorable Trinity, whose per- 
fections you now behold without 
vail, and your charity toward the 



112 DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 

souls for whom Christ suffered 
and died, — obtain for me the 
grace of knowing more and more 
clearly the price of my own soul, 
the enormity of sin, the greatness 
and goodness of my God, the 
vanity and emptiness of this 
world, and the unspeakable glory 
of the eternal kingdom; Oh ! that 
I may know perfectly the will of 
my good God, and most gener- 
ously fulfill it in all things ! 

Before tlie Gospel the priest bows lowly be- 
fore the Tabernacle, beseeching for himself 
perfect purity of soul and life, in order worthi- 
ly to fulfill the sublime ministry of a preacher 
of the Gospel. Apply to yourself the words 
of this beautiful prayer ; for every child of 
the faith is, in the midst of this perverse 
world, destined and obliged to preach the 
truth of the Gospel by puritv and holiness of 
life. 

" Cleanse my heart and my 
lips, 0 almighty God, who didst 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 113 

cleanse the lips of the prophet 
Isaias with a burning coal, and 
vouchsafe through thy gracious 
niercy, so to purify me, that I 
may worthily announce thy holy 
Gospel. Amen. 

May the Lord be in my heart, 
and on my lips, that I may wor- 
thily and fitly announce his holy 
Gospel. Amen. 

DUEING THE GOSPEL. 

0 UNCREATED wisdom in- 
carnate in the Son of the 
Virgin Mary, I sign my head, my 
lips, and my heart with the sign 
and seal of thy cross, — praying 
that mind, and heart, and mouth 
may ever be consecrated to thee, 
and become the instrument of thy 

8 



114 DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 

saving truth. Thou hast said of 
thyself : " Blessed is the man that 
heareth me, and that watcheth 
daily at my gates, and waiteth at 
the posts of my doors. He that 
shall find me shall find life, and 
shall have salvation from the 
Lord." O Jesus, the way, the 
truth, and the life, I know that 
" Thy word is a lamp to my feet, 
and a light to my paths ; " that 
"the declaration of thy words 
giveth light, — and giveth under- 
standing to little ones." " Let thy 
mercy also come upon me, O Lord, 
- — thy salvation according to thy 
word. So shall I answer them 
that reproach me in anything, — 
that I have trusted in thy words. 
And take not thou the word of 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 115 

truth utterly out of my mouth ; 
for- in thy words, I have hoped 
exceedingly. So shall I always 
keep thy law forever and ever " 
(Psalm cxviii.). " And as the rain 
and the snow come down from 
heaven and return no more thither, 
but soak the earth, and water it, 
and make it to spring, and give 
seed to the sower, and bread to the 
eater : so may thy word be, which 
shall go forth from thy mouth ; 
let it not return to thee void, but 
do whatsoever thou pleasest, and 
prosper in the things for which 
thou didst send it ! " (Isaias lv.). 

In this same spirit of joy and trustfulness 
repeat with the priest the Creed, the conse- 
crated expression of the belief of Christ's 
Church in his principal doctrine and mys- 
teries. 

I believe in one God, the Fa- 



116 DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 

ther Almighty, maker o£ heaven 
and earth, and of all tilings vis- 
ible and invisible. 

And in our Lord Jesus Christ, 
the only-begotten Son of God; 
born of the Father before all 
a^es ; — 

And God of God, light of light, 
true God of true God ; 

Begotten, not made ; consub- 
stantial with the Father, by whom 
all things were made. 

Who for us men and for our sal- 
vation, came down from heaven ; 

And became incarnate bv the 
Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary : 

And was made mak. 

He was crucified also for us, suf- 
fered under Pontius Pilate, and 
was buried. 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 



117 



And the third day lie rose 
again according to the scriptures. 

And he ascended into heaven ; 

Sitteth at the right hand of the 
Father ; 

And he is to come a^ain with 
glory to judge both the living 
and the dead ; 

Of whose kingdom there shall 
be no end. 

And in the Holy Ghost, the 
Lord and giver of life, who proceed- 
ed from the Father and the Son. 

Who, together with the Father 
and the Son, is adored and glorified; 

Who spoke by the prophets. 

And one holy Catholic and 
apostolic Church. 

I confess one baptism for the 
remission of sins. 



118 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 



And I look for tlie resurrection 
of the dead, and the life of the 
world to come. Amen. 

The whole of the preceding portion of the 
Mass, is but a preparation for the offertory 
which is the first part of the sacrifice proper. 
The bread and wine, whose separate conse- 
cration signifies the death of our Lord, whose 
blood was poured forth from his sacred body 
on the cross, — are presented and offered suc- 
cessively by the priest in the name of the 
people ; and God's blessing, and the coming 
down of the Holy Ghost, "the sanctlfier, all 
powerful/' to effect the mighty sacramental 
change, is invoked. Endeavor to rise still 
higher in attention and fervor, — as if God's 
angel bade you to approach the altar in 
spirit ; lay down there,— side by side with the 
elements soon to be changed into the body 
nailed to the cross and the blood shed upon 
it, — your sins, your needs, your hopes, your 
fears, your life and death, your heart itself, 
to be changed into a new heart. 

O dread majesty of the eternal 
God, how sadly soever I may 
have wasted my life and misused 
thy manifold graces in the past, 
I approach thy altar in spirit, 



DEYOTIOXS AT MASS. 119 

with, confusion and sorrow for 
my offenses, and a sincere desire 
to make of whatever thou mayst 
give me of life, an offering; of love 
and a sacrifice of atonement to 
thy justice in union with the ob- 
lation and sacrifice of thy Son. 

O Holy Spirit whose love and 
power transform, sanctify, and 
perfect all things, breathe upon 
my heart and change its inclina- 
tions and desires into the one 
purpose of loving and glorifying 
thee with the Father and the Son 
during all the days of my life. 

WHE]S T THE PEIEST WASHES HIS 
HA^DS. 

OH ! that I could wash my 
hands, cleanse and purify 



120 DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 

heart and inind, so as to be not 
unworthy to stand here in thy 
house, O God, while the multi- 
tude of thy angels and saints are 
looking down on this altar and 
thy people ! And yet, 

I have loved, O Lord, the 
beauty of thy house ; 

And the place where thy glory 
dwelleth. 

Take not away my soul, O God, 
with the wicked ; 

Nor my life with the bloody 
men : 

In whose hands are iniquities ; 

[Yea] their right hand is filled 
with gifts. {Psalm xxv.) 

Ah ! would that I had ever 
" walked in my innocence," with 
which thou didst clothe me in 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 121 

baptism ! Oli ! u redeem me and 
have mercy on me w for his sake 
who is the most holy and un- 
spotted victim of this oblation. 
My feet shall henceforth stand 
in the right way ; I shall learn to 
know more and more the riches 
of thy house, the treasures of thy 
mercy ; and " in the churches I 
will bless thee, O Lord." 

THEX UXITE YOUR SOUL WITH THAT 
OF THE PRIEST, AS HE BOWS 
DOWX WITH JOIXED HAXDS OX 
THE ALTAR, AXD SAY PROM 

Y^OUR heart: 

RECEIVE, O holy Trinity, this 
oblation which we make to 
thee in memoiy of the Passion, 
Resurrection, and Ascension of 



122 DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 

our Lord Jesus Christ, and in 
honor of the blessed Mary ever 
Virgin, of the blessed John the 
Baptist, the holy apostles Peter 
and Paul, and of these [whose 
relics inclosed in the altar stone the 
priest almost touches with his join- 
ed hands\ 7 and of all the saints ;— 
that it may avail toward their 
honor and our salvation ; and that 
they may vouchsafe to intercede 
for us in heaven whose memory 
we celebrate on earth. Through 
the same Christ our Lord. Amen. 

AS THE PRIEST TITERS TOWARD THE 
PEOPLE, SAYING, ORATE, FRA- 
TRES, SAY DEVOUTLY: 

MAY the Lord receive the sac- 
rifice from thy hands, to the 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 



123 



praise and glory of his own name, 
and to our benefit and that of 
all his holy Church. 

The priest, as if preparing to enter the true 
holy of holies, — the court of heaven on high, 
— prays silently, invoking with increased ear- 
nestness the Divine Majesty, and beseeching 
the intercession of the glorious inhabitants of 
the heavenly city, in whose immediate pres- 
ence he feels that he is. This is called the 
prayer of the secret. Say with the Church 
during the joys of Easter week : 

Accept, O Lord, the prayers 
of thy faithful people together 
with our sacrificial offerings, 
that these offices of our filial de- 
votion may lead us to the glory 
of heaven. 

And then whilst some hand draws back the 
vail which hides from our eyes, while on this 
side of the grave, the view of that heaven, 
with its inhabitants, its glory, and its unspeak- 
able felicity, let your soul sing forth its hopes, 
its joy, its praise, in the triumphant song of 
the Church. The priest, who has been pray- 
ing silently before the vail, as if he all at once 
caught a glimpse of the glory within, and 



124 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 



heard the exultant strains of the mighty 
throng, thus bursts forth in the concluding 
words of his prayer : 

Per omnia scecula mculorum 
(through all the ages of ages — 
of eternity). 

P. Amen. 

V. Dominus vohiscwn (the 
Lord be with you). 

P. Pt cum spiritu tuo (and 
with thy spirit). 

V. Sursum cor da (lift up 
your hearts). 

P. Hahemus ad Dominum 
(we have them fixed on the Lord). 

V. Gratias agamus Domino 
Deo nostro (let us give thanks to 
the Lord our God). 

It. Digmim et justum est (it is 
meet and just). 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 125 

And the celebrant proceeds in the Latin 
with a chant so divine, that when sung with 
a good voice and heartfelt devotion, every 
tone pierces and inflames the soul like an ar- 
row tipped with celestial fire : 

"It is truly meet and just, 
right and available to salvation, 
that we should always and in all 
places give thanks to thee, O holy 
Lord, Father almighty, eternal 
God, through Christ our Lord. 
By whom the angels praise thy 
majesty, the dominations adore 
it, the powers before it tremble ; 
the heavens, the heavenly virtues, 
and blessed seraphim, with com- 
mon jubilee glorify it. Together 
with whom, we beseech thee that 
we may be admitted to join our 
humble voices saying : 

" Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of 
hosts ! 



126 DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 



"Heaven and earth, are full of 
thy glory. 

"Hosanna in the highest ! 

" Blessed is he that cometh in 
the name of the Lord ! 

" Hosanna in the highest ! " 

CANON OF THE MASS. 

To the educated, who find food or sweet oc- 
cupation for their souls in reading prayers ap- 
propriate to this most solemn portion of the 
holy sacrifice, — nothing can be more beneficial 
than to follow the prayers of the missal, as 
given a little further on in the ' ' Treasury. " 
Or it may be that some such prayers as the 
following may suit their disposition, and help 
to keep mind and heart sweetly occupied with 
God. But, we would earnestly impress on all 
our readers the necessity (not to say the im- 
mense utility) of acquiring by habit a certain 
skill in discovering in these beautiful prayers 
and sublime offices of the Church, a mine of 
thought and pious feeling which will make of 
the assistance at Mass a delight beyond ex- 
pression. The time is short between the 
Sanctus and the consecration : these are mo- 
ments pregnant with untold and priceless 
graces. Do as Moses did when the angel of 
the Lord conducted him to the cavern in the 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 127 

rock, to hide him there while the Lord came 
down and passed by. Oh ! how awful are 
these few and fast-flying moments ! Speak 
out your soul's desire, then : give full utter- 
ance to your heart-cries. There is one near 
you who will not shut his ears, or harden his 
heart to your need, or withhold his hand from 
giving the boon he came down to bestow. 

O Father of mercies, whose 
whole conduct toward us shows 
that thou yearnest to forgive, to 
heal our wounds, to give us 
strength, to make us generous, 
devoted, and holy, — look upon 
me, thy creature, thy adopted 
child, — and listen only to thy 
mercy and my extreme need. Oh ! 
for the love of thy dear Son, 
Jesus, let not this most blessed 
hour pass away without bestow- 
ing on me, and on those for whom 
I am bound and intend to pray, 
the graces which do not impover- 



128 DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 

ish thee, and for which, a poor 
beggar at thy gate, I supplicate 
thy goodness. The sun in the 
heavens, O my creator, is not 
dimmed by sending forth his rays, 
nor cooled by the warmth he im- 
parts to all things here below. O 
uncreated sun of mercy and of 
righteousness, let some of thy 
rays illuminate my darkness, some 
of thy vital warmth animate this 
cold, dead soul of mine ! What 
canst thou refuse me, — when 
thine only-begotten Son comes 
down once more to the cross to 
offer himself in atonement for my 
sins, and as a price for all the 
graces which I here humbly soli- 
cit from thy fatherly bounty ? 
O Father incomprehensibly 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 129 

great and good, I know that I 
cannot see thee as thou art in 
thine own infinite perfection 
while I am in this life : thou, like 
thy incarnate Son, Jesus, only 
comest down to us " in a cloud," 
— oh ! let me love to be near that 
tabernacle of thine, and scan with 
the eye of faith the divine reality 
behind its vails ! 

AT THE ELEVATION. 

Put away your book, and collect all the 
senses of your body, all the powers of your 
soul, to welcome and adore your Emmanuel, 
as the heavens invisibly open above you, to 
let "the Desired of all nations" come down. 
Some pious souls love to behold him as when, 
after having been nailed to the bitter wood, — 
he was lifted with his cross on high above the 
heads of the crowd, — hastening to say to his 
Father in behalf of those who had pierced his 
hands and feet, and of the multitude who 
scoffed at him in his seeming helplessness : 
"Father, forgive them, for they know net 
what they do ! " It is sweet to come in spirit 
to the foot of that cross, to press one's lips on 
9 



130 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 



the sacred wood, near the unwearied feet of 
the Good Shepherd, now so cruelly pierced and 
torn, — and to let one's heart speak. It is al- 
ready a great grace of God to be thus drawn 
to these thrice-blessed feet. " Lord, it is good 
for us to be here ! " we may well say ; better 
even, while our life of labor and trial still 
lasts, to be at the feet of Jesus crucified on 
Calvary, than within the cloud with Jesus 
transfigured on Thabor. 

Other devout souls love to picture to them- 
selves the cave of Bethlehem, with the crib, 
and the divine babe adored by Mary and 
Joseph. Any method which helps to fix our 
thoughts on the " Hidden God," and to draw 
our hearts powerfully to him, cannot but be 
beneficial. But the mass is a sacrifice, — and 
the separate consecration of the bread and the 
wine, represents his passion and death, — the 
tortures of that sacred body, — and the drain- 
ing of the redeeming blood from every vein, 
by the huge rents in hands and feet. O 
agony ! 0 charity ! O excess of divine love ! 
surely, this is what should go straight to our 
hearts whenever we assist at this commemo- 
ration of thee ! 

AT THE ELEVATION OF THE HOST. 



AIL, O true body born of the 



Which, truly suffered and was 
sacrificed 




DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 131 

On the cross for mankind. 

From whose pierced side issued 
water and blood ! 

Be to us a foretaste of paradise 
in the agony of death ! 

O merciful ! O loving one ! O 
Jesus, Son of Mary ! Amen. 

AT THE ELEVATION OF THE CHALICE. 

0 BLOOD poured forth with- 
out stint to purchase me 
back from the eternal death, I 
adore thee ! I approach thee in 
spirit, O side of Christ, pierced in 
death with the lance, to pour out 
on me the last drops of that same 
blood, with the water which 
cleanses and regenerates ! O my 
rock and my refuge, let me hide 
myself within thee, near the 



132 DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 

wounded heart in which alone I 
can find life and light and love ! 

O give me to know thee, my 
Saviour, — to know thy Father 
and thee ! Let some drops of 
this divine blood fall on my eyes, 
and give them insight into 
the height and depth of thy 
most wondrous love! I yearn 
for thy light, God of my salva- 
tion ! I crave some beginning of 
love, that I may learn to repay 
thee ! I desire to suffer with thee 
and for thee, — that thy seal of 
suffering may secure my being 
never separated from thee in life 
and death ! 

AFTER THE ELEVATION. 

IN union with thy universal 
Church, O Lord, I desire to 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 133 

call to mind by this mystery of 
Christ's body and blood present 
on the altar, his most bitter pas- 
sion, his resurrection from the 
grave, his glorious ascension in- 
to heaven, — offering in thanks- 
giving thereof these thine own 
most precious gifts to us, — this 
pure victim, this holy victim, this 
spotless victim, — this bread of 
life eternal, and this chalice of 
everlasting salvation. 

Look down upon them, O most 
forgiving God, and accept them 
as thou wert graciously pleased 
to accept in the beginning the 
lamb offered up to thee by Abel, 
and the dread sacrifice of his only 
son begun by Abraham, and the 
bread and wine presented to thee 



! 



134 DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 

by Melchisedech. Even so look 
down on this holy sacrifice and 
unspotted victim. 

O Almighty Lord, we beseech 
thee, prostrate here in thy pres- 
ence, bid thy holy angel to bear 
with him these offerings and our 
hearts to thy altar on high before 
thy throne, that all who partake 
of the gifts of this thine earthly 
altar may receive together with 
the body and blood of thy Son, 
the fullness of all heavenly grace 
and blessing. 

AT THE ME3EEOTO FOR THE FAITH- 
FUL DEPARTED. 

BE mindful also, O dread Lord, 
of all thy servants and hand- 
maids who are gone to their 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 



135 



judgment before us, signed with 
the sign of his cross who died for 
us, and who now sleep the sleep 
of peace. 

To these, O Lord, and to all 
who rest in Christ, grant, we be- 
seech thee, a speedy entrance in- 
to the abode of everlasting re- 
freshment, light, and peace. 

And on us sinners, who strive 
to serve thee, vouchsafe to bestow 
the generosity of spirit and holi- 
ness of life which shall make 
them worthy of fellowship with 
thy saints on high ; grant us, es- 
pecially, O Father of mercies, the 
grace of living and dying faithful 
to thee, and of being eternally 
associated with thy blessed an- 



136 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 



gels. We crave this crowning 
grace through him, whose body 
now pleads for us here from all 
its wounds, and whose blood cri- 
eth out from the earth for the 
fullness of thy mercy. 

Our Father, who art in heaven, 
etc. 

V. And lead us not into temp- 
tation. 

JR. But deliver us from evil. 

This deliverance from evil, — from such evils 
especially as continually threaten our souls, — 
we are not careful to pray for at this part of 
the adorable sacrifice. We must not forget 
that the Divine Victim present on the altar, 
did not shrink from the terrible shame, desola- 
tion, and bodily torture of his passion and 
death, in order that thereby he might save us 
from the irremediable evil of dying in sin, and 
suffering in hell the eternal punishment due 
to deadly guilt unrepented of and unexpiated. 
We should remember, with undying grati- 
tude, that he instituted this unbloody sac- 
rifice, that the oblation of his body and 
blood might not only call down on us all good, 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 137 

but serve to avert from us all evil. As, there- 
fore, we ask through the priest that our Fa- 
ther iu heaven should 'give us our daily 
bread/ so should we be most earnest in peti- 
tioning that we should be preserved from the 
danger of temptation, and delivered from the 
evil which threatens our soul from within and 
from without. It is so easy, — while we are be- 
fore the (( cavern in the rock/' the cleft side of 
Jesus Christ, to beseech him to hide us there 
in the moment of trial, to save us in his ten- 
der pity, from the awful misfortune of being 
separated from himself, from that heart of 
his, which is the center of our life, — by mor- 
tal sin, and, above all, by an unhappy death ! 

Oil ! yes, God of my soul, de- 
liver me from the attacks and 
snares of thy wicked enemy, the 
devil, who is also the inveterate 
foe of my soul. Deliver me from 
the influence of those around me, 
who do his work, and by word 
and deed pervert the souls which 
thou hast died for. Preserve me, 
O merciful Jesus, from the mis- 
fortune of becoming to others an 



138 DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 

instrument of perdition. And 
save ine, I beseech thee, from my 
own weak heart and its down- 
ward inclinations : save me froni 
myself, — from the pride of my 
own mind, the blindness of my 
own judgment, and the sensuality 
which bears me down toward the 
pleasures of earth. 

AT THE AGXUS DEI. 

LAMB of God, who takest away 
the sins of the world, have 
mercy on us. 

Lamb of God, who takest away 
the sins of the world, have mercy 
on us. 

Lamb of God, who takest away 
the sins of the world, grant us 
peace. 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 



139 



AT THE COMMUNION. 

Picture to yourself Christ's blessed body 
taken down from the cross, and laid on the 
knees of his agonized Mother. Approach 
humbly and reverently and contemplate the 
head with its cruel diadem of thorns, the face 
all disfigured with dust and blood and tears, — 
the hands and feet rent by the nails on which 
the blessed body has hung aloft during three 
hours, — and then the gaping wound in the 
side. Forget everything else in the world to 
satisfy your soul by gazing in spirit on your 
crucified Lord, and on all his wounds. Ad- 
dress him in whatever words your love or 
grief or state of mind may prompt, — remem- 
bering that words are nothing, but the senti- 
ments of the heart everything. And do not 
forget the Mother, who thus presents to your 
adoration and generous sorrow her only Son. 

AH ! Mother of fair love, how 
ranch, my soul lias cost thee 
also of bitterest suffering ! Mother 
of my soul, do thou plead for me 
while I gaze upon that head, . . . 
that face, . . . these hands, . . . 
these most blessed feet, which 
came so far to seek me, and to 



140 DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 

seek me in vain, since I still wander 
far away from him ! 0 head which 
would have these thorns instead 
of roses for thy crown, how truly 
have all thy thoughts and cares 
been for my dear sake ! and how 
little do I care for thee, for thy 
interests, for the welfare of this 
very soul of mine which cost thee 
so dear ! Eyes closed in death, 
and clogged with blood, and tears, 
and the dust of thy long journey 
of pain,— meek and modest eyes 
of my Redeemer Jesus, give one 
look of compassion on thy poor, 
poor suppliant ! . . . Let me 
but hear one word of pity, of 
mercy, of power from you, O 
sweet lips which, for my soul's 
sake, and my instruction, would 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 141 

taste the gall and vinegar pre- 
sented to you, in your terrible 
and agonizing thirst ! . . . And I, 
my God, — has my whole life been 
auglit else than sensuality and 
self -gratification ? . . . And how 
long is this to be ? . . . 

O Mother Mary, place these 
pierced hands npon my head, that 
they may heal its manifold in- 
firmities. . . I need light to know 
him. Oh ! let these mighty hands 
heal my mind, purging it from the 
errors which have so long ob- 
scured it, and filling it with the 
knowledge of God and the things 
of God. . . I need to have my 
memory filled with the thought 
of him, and of thee, also, O 
Mother inseparable in suffering 



142 DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 

from thy Son. . . I need to have 
niy imagination cured of its 
dreadful distempers. . . It is filled 
with vain and troublesome and 
dangerous fancies and phantoms, 
—like a charnel-house swarming 
with loathsome shadows and 
creeping things. . . Oh ! let this 
hand put them to flight and for- 
ever close all the avenues of my 
soul to all but the visions of his 
own labors and sufferings, and of 
your joint glory in Paradise ! 

Place these hands upon my 
breast, O Mother ! that they may 
" create a clean heart in me ; " for 
this heart of mine is weak, and 
ever changing in its best pur- 
poses, and never for one day 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 143 

steady in pursuing the path, of 
generosity and self-denial. . . 

And let me come near these 
feet which never wearied in seek- 
ing souls. . . My God and my 
Saviour, thou hast found me at 
last. . . Do not cast me away. 
Let not all thy labors, thy jour- 
neying, thy prayers, thy tears, thy 
blood be in vain. I have cost 
thee too much ; take pity on me, 
... on my misery, . . . my weak- 
ness, . . . my sins, . . . my tempta- 
tions and dangers, . . . and the 
grief of my heart crying for light 
and strength and peace to thee 
... to thee ! 



144 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 



AT THE 'POST COMMUNION,' OR 
PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION. 

" A SACKED banquet, in which. 

\J Christ is received, the mem- 
ory of his passion is renewed, our 
soul is filled with grace, and a 
pledge of future glory is given us ! 

V. Thou didst give them bread 
from heaven. 

JR. Containing in itself all 
sweetness. 

Prayer: "O God, who under 
a wonderful sacrament, hast left 
us a memorial of thy passion, 
grant us, we beseech thee, so to 
venerate the sacred mysteries of 
thy body and blood, that we may 
ever feel within us the fruit 
of thy redemption : who livest 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 145 

and reignest world without end. 
Amen." 

AT THE LAST BE]S T EDICTIOX. 

A DOEABLE Trinity, mayst 
tliou be eternally praised and 
glorified for this supreme gift of 
thy loying care oyer thy poor 
children still struggling here be- 
low ! May this great sacrifice and 
the homage of our grateful wor- 
ship be acceptable to thee, and 
bring down on us thy choicest 
graces with the blessing thou now 
givest. 

AT THE GOSPEL OF ST. JOHN. 

OWOKD eternal, true God of 
true God, who didst abase 

thyself so far as to unite to thy 
10 



146 DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 

divine person onr poor fallen 
human nature, grant me ever to 
know tliat who would follow 
thee, and have a share with thee 
here and hereafter, must be hum- 
ble and meek of heart. Grant 
me also to fear no effort, no sacri- 
fice, no humiliation in order to 
win souls to thee, to make others 
know thee, love thee, serve thee 
devotedly. 

O Creator, O Father of my Lord 
and Saviour Jesus Christ, I most 
humbly thank thee for permitting 
me to assist this day at the cele- 
bration of these august mysteries. 
There are so many of thy devoted 
servants who are deprived of this 
consolation, and so many souls 
who know not this treasure of 



DEVOTIONS AT MASS. 147 

our hearts, or who neglect or de- 
spise it ! 

Pardon my want of faith, and 
reverence, and piety ; increase in 
me by the virtue and merits of 
this divine oblation, the determi- 
nation to be more and more wor- 
thy of Christ and of thee, the 
Father of all his redeemed. Pre- 
serve me and mine this day from 
all deliberate offenses against thy 
divine majesty, and make our 
lives shine before men so as to 
glorify thee, our most loving 
parent and benefactor. 



<£f)e ©rimtarj) of tl)e Hla00, 



ANTHEMS AT SPRINKLING THE HOLY WATER. 



Before Solemn Mass on the Sundays, from 
Trinity to Palm Sunday inclusively, the fol- 
lowing Anthem is sung : 

A NT. Asperges me A NT. THOU shalt 
sprinkle me, with 
hyssop, O Lord, and I 
shall be cleansed : 
thou shalt wash me, 
and I shall be made 
whiter than snow. 

Ps. Have mercy on 
me, O God, according 
to thy great mercy. 



Domine hyssopo, 
et mundabor : lavabis 
me, et super nivem 
dealbabor. 



Ps. Miserere mei, 
Deus, secundum mag- 
n u m misericordiam 
tuam. 

V. Gloria Patri, etc. 



Ant. Asperges 
etc. 



me, 



V. Glory be to the 
Father, etc. 

Ant. Thou wilt 
sprinkle me, etc. 



The priest, being returned to the foot of the 
Altar, says : 

V. Ostende nobis, V. Show us, O Lord, 
Domine, misericordi- thy mercy, 
am tuam. 

148 



ANTHEMS, ETC. 



149 



R. Et sal ut are tuum 
da nobis. 

V. Domine, exaudi 
orationem meam. 

R. Et clamor mens 
ad te venial 

V. Dominns vobis- 
cnm. 

R. Et cnm spiritn 
tno. 



R. And grant ns thy 
salvation. 

Y. 0 Lord, bear my 
prayer. 

R. And let my cry 
come nnto thee. 

V. Tbe Lord be 
with yon. 

R. And with tby 
spirit. 



From EASTER to WHIT-SUXDAY, incln- 
sively, instead of the foregoing, tbe following 
ANTHEM is snng, and Allelnias are added to 
the V. Ostende nobis, and its R. Et salntare, 
etc. 

AXTHE3I. 



aqnam egredi- 
* entem de templo a 
latere dextro, Alleluia: 
et omnes ad qnos per- 
venit aqna ista, salvi 
facti snnt, et dicent, 
Allel. 

Ps. Confitemini Do- 
mino, qnoniam bonns: 
qnoniam in saecnlum 
misericordia e j n s. 
Gloria. 



J SAW water flowing 
from the right side 
of the temple, Alle- 
luia: and all to whom 
that water came, were 
saved, and they shall 
say, Allel. 

Ps. Praise the Lord, 
becanse he is good : 
because his mercy en- 
dnreth forever. Glo- 
ry, etc. 



150 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 



THE PRATER, EXAUDI. 

HEAR us, 0 holy Lord, Almighty 
Father, eternal God ! and vouchsafe 
to send thy holy angel from heaven, to 
guard, cherish, protect, visit, and de- 
fend all that are assembled in this 
place : through Jesus Christ our Lord, 
Amen. 

A PREPARATORT PRATER BEFORE MASS. 

PEOSTEATE in spirit at the foot of 
thy holy altar, I adore thee, 0 Al- 
mighty God ! and firmly believe that 
the Mass, at which I am going to assist, 
is the sacrifice of the body and blood of 
thy Son, Christ Jesus. 0 grant that I 
may assist thereat with the attention, 
respect, and awe due to such august 
mysteries : and that by the merits of 
the Victim there offered for me, I my- 
self may become an agreeable sacrifice 
to thee, who livest and reignest with the 
same Son and Holy Ghost, one God, 
world without end. Amen. 



PRAYERS FOR AUTHORITIES, ETC. 151 

Come, my thoughts, wills, affections; 
all my interior, come, and let us ascend 
to the mountain (that is, the altar) of 
God, where the Lord sees and is seen. 
And you my cares, anxieties, solici- 
tudes, troubles, wait here below at the 
door, whilst I, with my reason and un- 
derstanding, hasten thither. When we 
have adored, we may return to you ; 
for we shall return. Alas ! how quick- 
ly shall we return. — St. Bernard de 
Amove Dei. 

PRAYERS FOR AUTHORITIES, ETC. 

TYTE pray thee, 0 Almighty and eter- 
*' nal God, who, through Jesus 
Christ, hast revealed thy glory to all 
nations, to preserve the works of thy 
mercy ; that thy Church being spread 
through the whole world, may continue 
with unchanging faith, in the confes- 
sion of thy name. 

We pray thee who alone art good and 
holy, to endow with heavenly knowl- 



152 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 

edge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, 
our chief bishop, N". N., the vicar of our 
Lord Jesus Christ in the government of 
his Church, our own bishop, Is. N"., 
[or, if lie be not consecrated, "our 
bishop elect, 7 '] all other bishops, pre- 
lates, and pastors of the Church, and 
especially those who are appointed to 
exercise amongst us the functions of 
the holy ministry, and conduct the peo- 
ple into the ways of salvation. 

We pray thee, 0 God of might, wis- 
dom, and justice, through whom au- 
thority is rightly administered, laws are 
enacted, and judgment decreed, assist, 
with thy Holy Spirit of counsel and for- 
titude, the President of these United 
States ; that his administration may be 
conducted in righteousness, and be em- 
inently useful to thy people, over whom 
he presides, by encouraging due respect 
for virtue and religion ; by a faithful 
execution of the laws in justice and 
mercy; and by restraining vice and im- 



PRAYERS FOR AUTHORITIES, ETC. 153 

morality. Let the light of thy divine 
wisdom direct the deliberations of Con- 
gress, and shine forth in all their pro- 
ceedings and laws framed for our rule 
and government ; so that they may 
tend to the preservation of peace, the 
promotion of national happiness, the 
increase of industry, sobriety, and use- 
ful knowledge, and may perpetuate to 
us the blessings of equal liberty. 

We pray for his excellency the Gov- 
ernor of this State, for the members of 
Assembly, for all judges, magistrates, 
and other officers, who are appointed 
to guard our political welfare ; that 
they may be enabled by thy powerful 
protection, to discharge the duties of 
their respective stations with honesty 
and ability. 

We recommend, likewise, to thy un- 
bounded mercy, all our brethren and 
fellow-citizens throughout the United 
States, that they may be blessed in the 
knowledge, and sanctified in the obser- 



154 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 

vance of thy most holy law : that they 
may be preserved in union, and in that 
peace which the world cannot give ; and 
after enjoying the blessings of this life, 
be admitted to those which are eternal. 

Finally we pray thee, 0 Lord of mer- 
cy, to remember the souls of thy ser- 
vants departed, who are gone before us 
with the sign of faith, and repose in 
the sleep of peace ; the souls of our pa- 
rents, relations, and friends ; of those 
who, when living, were members of this 
congregation ; and particularly of such 
as are lately deceased ; of all benefactors, 
who by their donations or legacies to 
this church, witnessed their zeal for the 
decency of divine worship, and proved 
their claim to our grateful and charita- 
ble remembrance. To these, 0 Lord, 
and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we 
beseech thee, a place of refreshment, 
light, and everlasting peace — through 
the same Jesus Christ our Lord and 
Saviour. Amen. 



THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 155 



A PRAYER BEFORE SERMON. 

OINOOMPEBHENSIBLE Creator, 
the true fountain of light, the only 
author of all knowledge, vouchsafe, we 
beseech thee, to enlighten our under- 
standings, and to remove from us all 
darkness of sin and ignorance. Thou, 
who makest eloquent the tongues of 
those that want utterance, direct our 
tongues, and pour on our lips the grace 
of thy blessing. Give us a diligent and 
obedient spirit, quickness of apprehen- 
sion, capacity of retaining, and the 
powerful assistance of thy holy grace : 
that what we hear we may apply to thy 
honor and the eternal salvation of our 
own souls, through Jesus Christ, our 
Lord. Amen. 



iflasa of fl)t Ble00eir Srtmtg. 



THE PRIEST AT THE FOOT OF THE ALTAR, 
BEGINNING, SA1TH : 



IX Xoniine Patris, et 
EDM, et Spiritiis 
Sancti. Amen, 



Ant. Introibo ad al- 
tare Dei. 

R. Ad Deum, qui 
lsetificat juventutem 
meam. 

PSALM 

JUDICA me, Deus, 
et discerne causani 
meam de gente non 
sancta : ab homine in- 
iquo et doloso erne 
me. 

R. Quia tu es, Deus, 
fortitude- mea, quare 
me repulisti ? Et quare 



IX trie name of the 
Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost. Amen. 

Anth. I will go unto 
the altar of God. 

R. To God who giy- 
eth joy to my youth. 



XLII. 

JUDGE me, 0 God, 
and distinguish my 
cause from the nation 
that is not holy : from 
the unjust and deceit- 
ful man deliver me. 

R. Since thou, O 
God, art my strength, 
why hast thou cast me 
156 



MASS OF THE BLESSED TRINITY. 157 



tristis incedo, dum af- 
fligit me inimicus ? 

P. Emitte lucem 
tuam, et veritatem tu- 
am : ipsa me deduxer- 
unt, et adduxerunt in 
Montem sanctum tu- 
uni, et in Tabernacula 
tua. 

B. Et introibo ad 
altare Dei ; ad Deum 
qui laetificat juventu- 
tem meam. 

P. Confitebor tibi in 
cithara, Deus, Deus 
meus: quare tristis es, 
anima mea, et quare 
conturbas me? 

B. Spera in Deo, 
quoniam ad hue con- 
fitebor illi, salutare 
vultus mei, et Deus 
meus. 

P. Gloria Patri, et 
Filio, et Spiritui Sanc- 
to. 

B. Sicut erat in 
principio, et nunc, et 



off ? And why do I go 
sorrowful, while the 
enemy afflicteth me ? 

P. Send forth thy 
light and thy truth : 
they have conducted 
me, and brought me 
to thy holy Mount, and 
into thy Tabernacles. 

B. And I will go 
unto the altar of God ; 
to God who giveth joy 
to my youth. 

P. I will praise thee 
on the harp, 0 God,my 
God: why art thou sad, 

0 my soul, and why 
dost thou disquiet me? 

B. Hope in God, for 

1 will still praise him, 
the salvation of my 
countenance, and my 
God. 

P. Glory be to the 
Father, and to the Son, 
and to the Holy Ghost. 

B. As it was in the 
beginning, is now, and 



158 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 



semper, et in ssecula 
saeculorum. Amen. 

P. Introibo ad altare 
Dei. 

R. Ad Deum qui lae- 
tificat juventuteni me- 
am. 

P. Adjutorium nos- 
trum in nomine Domi- 
ni. 

R. Qui fecit coelum 
et terrain. 

P. Confiteor, etc. 

R. Misereatur tui 
omnipotens Deus, et 
dimissis peccatis tuis, 
perdue at te ad vitam 
seternam. 

P. Amen. 

R. Confiteor Deo 
omnij)otenti, b e a t se 
Marise semper Virgini, 
beato Mieliaeli Arcli- 
angelo, beato Joanni 
Bap tistae, Sanctis Apos- 
tolis Petro et Paulo, 
omnibus Sanctis, et 
tibi, Pater, quia pec- 



ever shall be, world 
without end. Amen. 

P. I will go unto the 
altar of God. 

R. To God who giv- 
eth joy to my youth. 

P. Our help is in the 
name of the Lord. 

R. Who made hea- 
ven and earth. 

P. I confess, etc. 

R. May Almighty 
God be merciful to 
thee, and forgiving 
thy sins, bring thee to 
everlasting life. 

P. Amen. 

R, I confess to Al 
mighty God,to blessed 
Mary ever Virgin, to 
blessed Michael the 
Archangel, to blessed 
John Baptist, to the 
holy Apostles Peter 
and Paul, to all the 
saints, and to you, Fa- 



MASS OF THE BLESSED TRINITY. 159 



cavi nimis cogitatione, 
verbo, et opere, mea 
culpa, mea culpa, mea 
maxima culpa. Ideo 
precor beatam Mariam 
semper Yirginem, bea- 
tum Michaelem Arch- 
angelum, b e a t u m 
Joannem Baptistam, 
sanctes Apostolos Pe- 
trum et Paulum, om- 
nes sanctus, et te, Pa- 
ter, orare pro me ad 
Dominum Deuni nos- 
trum. 



P. Misereaturvestri 
omnipotens Deus, et 
dimissis peccatis ves- 
tris, perducat vos ad 
vitam aeternam. 

B. Amen. 

P. Indulgentiam, ab- 
solutionem, et remis- 
sionem peccatorum 
nostrorum, tribuat no- 
bis omnipotens et mis- 
ericors Dominus. 



ther, that I have 
sinned exceedingly in 
thought, word, and 
deed, through my 
fault, through my 
fault, through my 
most grievous fault. 
Therefore I beseech 
the blessed Mary, ever 
Virgin, blessed Mi- 
chael the Archangel, 
blessed John Baptist, 
the holy Apostles Pe- 
ter and Paul, and all 
the saints, and you, 
Father, to pray to our 
Lord Grod for me. 

P. May Almighty 
God be merciful un- 
to you, and, forgiving 
you your sins, bring 
you to life everlasting. 

B. Amen. 

P. May the Al- 
mighty and merciful 
Lord grant us pardon, 
absolution, and remis- 
sion of our sins. 



160 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 



B. Amen. 

P. Deus tu conver- 
sus vivificabis nos. 

B. Et plebs tua lae- 
tabitur in te. 

P. Ostendo nobis, 
Domine, misericordi- 
am tuam. 

B. Et salutare tuum 
da nobis. 

P. Domine, exaudi 
orationem meam. 

B. Et clamor meus 
ad te veniat. 

P. Dominus vobis- 
cum. 

B. Et cum spiritu 
tuo. 



B. Amen. 

P. Thou, O God, be- 
ing turned, wilt enliv- 
en us. 

B. And thy people 
will rejoice in thee. 

P. Show us, 0 Lord, 
thy mercy. 

B. And grant us thy 
salvation. 

P. O Lord, hear my 
prayer. 

B. And let my cry 
come unto thee. 

P. The Lord be with 
you. 

B. And with thy 
spirit. 



WHEN THE PRIEST GOES UP TO THE ALTAR, 
SAY : 

IUFER a nobis, HP AKE away from us 
qusesumus, Dom- our iniquities, we 
ine, iniquitates nos- beseech thee, 0 Lord, 
tras ; ut ad Sancta that we may be wor- 
Sanctorum puris mer- thy to enter with pure 
eamur mentibus in- minds into the Holy 



MASS OF THE BLESSED TRINITY. 161 



troire. Per Christum of Holies. Through 
Dominum. Amen. Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

"WHEN HE BOWS BEFORE THE ALTAR, SAY : 

0 RAMUS te, Domi- TI7E beseech thee, 0 
ne, per merita Lord, by the 

sanctorum tuorum merits of thy saints, 
quorum reliquiae hie whose relics are here, 
sunt, et omnium sane- and of all the saints, 
torum, ut indulgere that thou wouldst 
digneris omnia peccata vouchsafe to forgive 
mea. Amen. me all my sins. Amen. 

Here, at Solemn Masses, the Priest, after 
blessing the incense and fuming the altar by 
the sign of the cross, with the following 
words, " Mayest thou be blessed by him, in 
whose honor thou shalt be burned/ ' turns to 
the book and reads the Introit : 

"HEN EDICT A sit TYLESSED be the 

" sancta Trinitas, Holy Trinity, and 

atque indivisa Unitas: undivided Unity : we 

confitebimur ei, quia will praise it, because 

fecit nobiscum miseri- it hath shown his 

cordiam suam. Ps. mercy to us. Ps. 0 

Domine, Uominus nos- Lord, our God, how 

ter, quam admirabile wonderful is thy name 

est nomen tuum in over the utmost boun- 

universa terra ! daries of the earth. 
11* 



162 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 



V. Gloria Patri, et V. Glory be to the 
Filio, et Spiritui Sane- Father, and to the Son, 
to. and to the Holy Ghost. 

AFTER WHICH IS ALTERNATELY SUNG 
OR SAID, 

P. Kyrie eleison, R. Kyrie eleison, 
P. Kyrie eleison* Lord, have mercy 
upon us. 

R. Christe eleison, P. Christe elei- 
son, R. Christe eleison. Christ, have 
mercy upon us. 

P. Kyrie eleison, R. Kyrie eleison, 
P. Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy 
upon us. 

GLORIA FN - EXCELSIS.* 

GLORIA in excelsis C\ LORY be to God 

Deo, et in terra on high, and on 

pax hominibus bonae earth peace to men of 

voluntatis. Laudamus good will. We praise 

te, benediciinus te, ad- thee, we bless thee, 

oramus te, glorinca- we adore thee, we 

mus te. Gratias agi- glorify thee. We give 

* The Gloria in Excelsis is omitted in Masses for the 
dead: as also in Lent, Advent, etc., unless the Mass be 
of a saint. 



MASS OF THE BLESSED TRINITY.' 163 



mus.tibi propter mag- 
nam gloriam tuam, 
Domine Deus, Rex cce- 
lestis, Deus Pater om- 
nipotens. Domine 
Fili unigenite J esu 
Cliriste. Domine De- 
ns, Agnus Dei, Filius 
Patris, qui tollis pec- 
cata mundi, miserere 
nobis. Qui tollis pec- 
cata mundi, suscipe 
deprecationem n o s- 
tram. Qui sedes ad 
dexteram Patris, mis- 
erere nobis. Quom'am 
tu solus sanctus, tu 
solus Dominus, tu so- 
lus altissimus, Jesu 
Cliriste, cum Sancto 
Spiritu, in gloria Dei 
Patris. Amen. 



thee thanks for thy 
great glory, 0 Lord 
God, heavenly King, 
God the Father Al- 
mighty. 0 Lord Jesus 
Christ, the only begot- 
ten Son. 0 Lord God, 
Lamb of God, Son of 
the Father, who tak- 
est away the sins of 
the world, have mercy 
on us. Who takest 
away the sins of the 
world, receive our 
prayers. Who sittest 
at the right hand of 
the Father, have mer- 
cy on us. For thou 
only art holy, thou 
only art the Lord, 
Thou only, 0 Jesus 
Christ, together with 
the Holy Ghost, art 
most high in the glory 
of God the Father. 
Amen. 



164 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 

TURNING TOWARD THE PEOPLE THE PRIEST 
SAYS : 

P. Doininus vobis- P. The Lord be 
cum. with you. 

E. Et cum spiritu B. And with thy 
tuo. spirit. 

Collect. — Omnipotens. 0 al- 
mighty and everlasting God, who hast 
granted thy servants, in the confession 
of the true faith, to acknowledge the 
glory of an eternal Trinity, and in the 
power of majesty to adore a Unity ; we 
beseech thee, that by the strength of 
this faith, we may be defended from all 
adversity. Through, etc. 

* II. Coll. — Acunctis. Preserve us 
0 Lord, we beseech thee, from all dan- 
gers of body and soul : and by the in- 
tercession of glorious and blessed Mary, 
the ever Virgin Mother of God, of 

* This Collect, with its corresponding Secret, and P. 
Communion, is said every clay as a second Collect, etc., 
(Doubles, and within Octaves excepted) from Candle- 
mas-day to Passion Sunday, and from Trinity Sunday 
to the first Sunday of Advent, inclusively. 



MASS OF THE BLESSED TRINITY. 165 



blessed Joseph, of the blessed apostles 
Peter and Paul, of blessed X. and of all 
the saints, grant us, in thy mercy, health 
and peace ; that adversities and errors 
being removed, thy Church may serve 
thee with a pure and undisturbed devo- 
tion. 

Epistle. — Rom. xi. 33. 0 the depth 
of the riches of the wisdom and of the 
knowledge of God ! How incompre- 
hensible are his judgments, and how 
unsearchable his ways ? For who hath 
known the mind of the Lord ? Or who 
hath been his counselor ? Or who 
hath first given to him ? and recom- 
pense shall be made him. For of him, 
and by him, and in him, are all things. 
To him be glory forever. Amen. 

R. Deo gratias. 

Gradual. — Dan. iii. Blessed art 
thou, 0 Lord, who beholdest the deep 
and sittest on the cherubim. V. Blessed 
art thou, 0 Lord, in the firmament of 
heaven, and worthy of praise forever. 
Alleluia, Alleluia! 



166 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 



V. Benedict us es V. Blessed art thou, 
Doniine, Deus Patrum 0 Lord, the God of 
nostrorum, et laudabi- our fathers, and wor- 
lis in saecula. Alleluia, thy of praise forever. 

Alleluia, 

THE PEAYEE HU3TDA COE MEUM, BE- 
EOEE THE GOSPEL. 

CLEAXSE iriy heart and my lips, 0 
Almighty God, who didst cleanse 
the lips of the prophet Isaiah, with a 
burning coal ; and vouchsafe, through 
thy gracious mercy, so to purify me, 
that I may worthily attend to thy holy 
Gospel. Through Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

May the Lord be in my heart, and on 
my lips, that I may worthily, and in a 
becoming manner, attend to his holy 
Gospel. Amen. 

P. Dominus vohis- P. The Lord be vvith 
cum. you. 

B. Et cum spiritu B. And with thy 
tuo. spirit. 

P. Sequemia(^ in- P. The continuation 



MASS OF THE BLESSED TBINITY. 167 

itium) sancti Evan- (or beginning) of the 
gelii secundum, etc. holy Gospel, accord- 
ing to, etc. 

B. Gfloria tibi, Do- B. Glory be to thee, 
mine. 0 Lord. 

Gospel. — Matt, xxyiii. 18-20. At 
that time, Jesus said to his disciples : 
All power is given to me in heaven and 
on earth. Go ye, therefore, and teach 
all nations : baptizing them in the name 
of the Father, and of the Son, and of 
the Holy Ghost : teaching them to ob- 
serve all things whatsoever I have com- 
manded you : and behold I am with you 
all days, even to the consummation of 
the world. 

B. Laus tibi, Chris- B. Praise be to thee, 
te. 0 Christ. 

THEN SAY WITH THE PKIEST IN A LOW 
YOICE : 




AY our sins be blotted out by the 
• words of the Gospel. 



168 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 



THE NICENE CREED. 

CREDO in ununi De- T BELIEVE in one 
urn, Patrem om- ^ God, the Father 
nipotentem, factorem Almighty, maker of 
coeli et terra? , Tisibili- heaven and earth, and 
um omnium et invisi- of all things visible 
biliuni. and invisible. 

Et in unum Domi- And in one Lord Je- 
num Jesum Christum, sus Christ, the only 
Filium Dei unigenit- begotten Son of God, 
um, et ex Patre natum and born of the Father 
ante omnia ssecula ; before all ages ; God 
Deum de Deo, lumen of God, light of light, 
de lumine, Deum ver- true God of true God ; 
um de Deo vero ; geni- begotten, not made ; 
turn non factum, con- consubstantial to the 
substantialum Patri, Father, by whom all 
per quem omnia facta things were made, 
sunt. Qui propter nos Who for us men and 
homines, et propter for our salvation, 
nostram salutem, de- came down from heav- 
scendit de coelis ; et en ; and became in- 
incarnatus est de Spi- carnate by the Holy 
ritu Sancto, ex Maria Ghost, of the Virgin 
Virgine; ET HOMO Mary; AND WAS 
F ACTUS EST* Cm- MADE MAX. * He 
* Kneel in reverence of Christ's Incarnation. 



THE NICENE CBEED. 



169 



cifixus etiam pro nobis, 
sub Pontio Pilato pas- 
sus,et sepultusest. Et 
resurrexit tertia die, 
secundum scripturas ; 
et ascendit in ccelum ; 
sedet ad dexteram Pa- 
tris ; et iterum ven- 
turus est cum gloria, 
judicare vivos et mor- 
tuos ; cujos regni non 
erit finis. 



Et in Spiritum Sanc- 
tum, Dominum et vi- 
vificantem, qui ex Pa- 
tre Filioque procedit ; 
qui cum Patre et Filio 
simul adoratur, et con- 
glorificatur ; qui locu- 
tus est per Prophetas. 
Et u n a m sanctam 
Catliolicam et Aposto- 
licam Ecclesiam. Con- 
fiteor unum Baptisma 
in remissionem pec- 



was crucified also for 
us, suffered under 
Pontius Pilate, and 
was buried. And the 
third day he rose again 
according to the Scrip- 
tures ; and ascended 
into heaven, sitteth at 
the right hand of the 
Father ; and he is to 
come again with glory, 
to judge both the liv- 
ing and the dead ; of 
whose kingdom there 
shall be no end. 

And in the Holy 
Ghost, the Lord and 
giver of life, who pro- 
ceedeth from the Fa- 
ther and the Son ; who 
together with the Fa- 
ther and the Son, is 
adored and glorified ; 
who spoke by the 
Prophets. And one 
holy Catholic and 
Apostolic Church. I 
confess one Baptism 



170 THE 0RDI3TAKY OF THE MASS. 



catonim. Et expecto for the remission of 
resurrectionem mortu- sins. And I expect 
ornm, et vitani ventu- the resurrection of the 
ri sagculi. Amen. dead, and the life of 
the world to come. 
Amen. 

P. The Lord be with 
you. 

B. And with thy 
spirit, 
P. Let us pray. 



P. Dominus vobis- 
cum. 

E. Et cum spiritu 
tuo. 

P. Oremus. 

Offeetoeio. — Blessed be God the 
Father, and the only begotten Son of 
God, as likewise the Holy Ghost : for 
he has shown mercy to us. 



OBLATION OF THE HOST. 



SUSCIPE, sancte Pa- 
t e r omiiipotens 
seterne Deus, hanc im- 
maculatam Kostlam, 
quam ego indignus 
famulus tuus offero 
tibi Deo meo vivo et 
vero, pro innumera- 
bilibus peccatis, offen- 
sionibus et nearli gen- 



ii CCEPT, 0 holy Fa- 
ther, almighty and 
eternal God, this un- 
spotted Host, which I 
thy unworthy servant 
offer unto thee, my 
living and true God, 
for my innumerable 
sins, offenses, and neg- 
ligences, and for all 



OBLATION OF THE HOST. 171 



tiis meis, et pro omni- 
bus circumstantibus ; 
sed et pro omnibus 
fidelibus Christianis, 
vivis atque defunctis ; 
ut mihi et illis profici- 
at ad salutem in vitam 
seternam. Amen. 



here present ; as also 
for all faithful Chris- 
tians, both living and 
dead ; that it may 
avail both me and 
them unto life ever- 
lasting. Amen. 



"WHEN" THE PRIEST 
"WATER INTO THE 

TVEUS, qui humanas 
U substantia digni- 
tatem mirabiliter con- 
didisti, et mirabilius 
reformasti ; da nobis 
per hujus Aquae et 
Vini mysterium, ejus 
divinitatis esse consor- 
tes, qui humanitatis 
nostras fieri dignatus 
est particeps, Jesus 
Christus Filius tuus 
Dominus noster ; qui 
tecum vivit et regnat 
in unitate Spirittis 
Sancti, Deus, per om- 



PUTS THE "WINE AND 
CHALICE, HE SAYS : 

A GOD, who, in cre- 
^ ating human na- 
ture, hast wonderfully 
dignified it, and still 
more wonderfully re- 
formed it ; grant that 
by the mystery of this 
Water and Wine, we 
may be made partak- 
ers of his divine na- 
ture, who vouchsafed 
to become partaker of 
our human nature, 
namely, Jesus Christ 
our Lord thy Son, who 
with thee, in the unity 



172 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 



nia saecula sasculoruni. 
Amen. 



of the Holy Ghost, liv- 
eth and reign eth, one 
God, forever and ever. 
Amen. 



OBLATION OF THE CHALICE. 

AFFERTMUS tibi, WE offer unto thee, 

" Doraine, Calicem " 0 Lord, the Chal- 

salutaris, tuam depre- ice of Salvation, be- 

cantes clementiam, ut seeching thy clemen- 

in conspectu divinae cy, that it may ascend 

Majestatis tuae, pro before thy divine Ma- 

nostra et totius mundi jesty, as a sweet odor, 

salute, cum odore for our salvation, and 

suavitatis ascendat. for that of the whole 

Amen. world. Amen. 

WHEN THE PRIEST BOWS BEFORE THE 
ALTAR : 

TN spiritu humilita- A CCEPT us, 0 Lord, 
-■- tis, et in animo con- A in the spirit of 
trito suscipiamur a humility, and contri- 
te, Domine ; et sic fiat tion of heart ; and 
sacrificium nostrum in grant that the sacri- 
conspectu tuo hodie, fice we offer this day 
ut placeat tibi, Domine in thy sight may be 
Deus. pleasing to thee, 0 

Lord God. 



OBLATION OF THE CHALICE. 173 



WHEN HE BLESSES THE BKEAD AND WINE. 

TENI, sanctificator, pOME, 0 almighty 
omnipotens seterne ^ and eternal God, 
Deus, et benedic hoc the sanctifier, and 
sacrificium tuo sancto bless this sacrifice, 
nomini praeparatuni. prepared for the glo 
ry of thy holy name. 



HEBE, IN SOLEMN MASSES, HE BLESSES THE 
INCENSE, SAYING : 

J)ER intercessionem 



archangeli stantis a 
dextris Altari Incensi, 
et omnium electorum, 
suorum, incensum is- 



If AY the Lord by the 

intercession of 
blessed Michael the 
archangel standing at 
the right hand of 
the Altar of Incense, 



tud dignetur Dominus and of all his elect, 
benedicere, et in odo- vouchsafe to bless this 
rem suavitatis acci- incense, and receive it 
pere. Per Christum as an odor of sweet- 
Dominum nostrum. ness. Through Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

AT INCENSING THE BBEAD AND WINE, HE 
SAYS : 

[NCEXSUM istud a MAY this Incense 
1 te benedictum, as- which thou hast 

cendat ad te Domine, blest, 0 Lord, ascend 



174 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 

et descendat super nos to thee, and may thy 
misericordia tua. mercy descend upon 

us. 

AT INCENSING THE ALTAR, HE SAYS, PS. CXL. 

FVIRIGATUR, Domi- T ET my prayer, 0 
*J ne, oratio mea si- J J Lord, be directed 
cut incensum, in con- as incense in thy 
sp£ctu tuo : elevatio sight : the lifting up 
manuum mearum sac- of my hands as eve- 
rificium vespertinum. ning sacrifice. Set 
Pone, Domine,custodi- a watch, 0 Lord, be- 
am ori meo, et ostium fore my mouth, and a 
circumstantiae labiis door round about my 
meis, ut non declinet lips. Incline not my 
cor meum in verba heart to evil words, to 
malitise, ad excusan- make excuses in sin. 
das excusationes in 
peccatis. 

ON GIVING THE CENSER TO THE DEACON, 
HE SAYS : 

MAY the Lord enkindle within us the 
fire of his love, and the flame of 
everlasting charity. Amen. 

WASHING HIS HANDS, HE SAYS, PS. XXV. 6. 

T AVABO inter inno- T WILL wash my 
^ centes manus me- hands among the 



OBLATION OF THE CHALICE. 175 



as ; et circumdabo al- 
tare tuum, Domine. 

Ut audiam vocem 
laudis; et enarrem uni- 
versa mirabilia tua. 

Domine, dilexi de- 
corum domus tuae, et 
locum habitationis 
glorias tua3. 

Ne perdas cum 5m- 
piis, Deus, animam 
meam,et cum viris san- 
guinum vitam meam : 

In quorum manibus 
iniquitates sunt : dex- 
tera eorum repleta est 
muneribus. 

Ego autem in inno- 
centia mea ingressus 
sum : redime me et 
miserere mei. 

Pes meus stetit in 
directo : in ecclesiis 
benedicam te, Domi- 
ne. 



innocent ; and will 
compass thy altar, 0 
Lord. 

That I may hear the 
yoice of thy praise ; 
and tell all of thy 
wondrous works. 

I have loved, 0 
Lord, the beauty of 
thy house, and the 
place where thy glory 
dwelieth. 

Take not away my 
soul, 0 God, with the 
wicked, nor my life 
with bloody men : 

In whose hands are 
iniquities : their right 
hand is filled with 
gifts. 

But I have walked 
in my innocence : re- 
deem me and have 
mercy on me. 

My foot hath stood 
in the direct way : in 
the churches I will 
bless thee, 0 Lord. 



1T6 



THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 



Gloria Patri, et Fi- Glory be to the Fa- 

lio, etc. tJxeor, etc. 

BOWLEG- EN THE MIDDLE OF THE ALTAR, HE 
SAYS : 

CUSCTPE.. sanctaTri- DECEIVE, 0 holv 

^ nitas, hanc obla- Trinity, tliis ob- 

tionem, quam tibi of- lation which we make 

ferinms ob mernoriani to thee in memory of 

Passionis, "Resurrec- the Passion, Eesurrec- 

tionis, et Ascensionis tion, and Ascension of 

Jesu Christi Domini our Lord Jesns Christ, 

nostri, et in honorem and in honor of the 

beata? Marias semper blessed Mary ever a 

Virginis, et beati Jo- Virgin, of blessed 

annis Baptista?, et John Baptist, the holy 

sanctorum Apostolo- Apostles Peter and 

rum Petri et Pauli, et Paul, and of all the 

istorum, et omnium saints ; that it may be 

Sanctorum ; ut illis available to their hon- 

proflciat ad honorem, or, and our salvation ; 

nobis autem ad salu- and that they may 

tern ; et illi pro nobis vouchsafe to intercede 

intercedere dignentur for us in heaven, 

in ccelis, quorum me- whose memory we 

moriam agirnus in celebrate on earth, 

terris. Per eumdem Through the same 

Christum Dominum Christ our Lord, 

nostrum. Amen. Amen. 



OBLATION OF THE CHALICE. 177 



0 



THEN TURNING HIMSELF TOWARD THE 
PEOPLE, HE SAYS : 

RATE, Fratres, ut BRETHREN, pray 
meuni ac vestrum that my sacrifice 

sacrificium acceptabile and yours may be ac- 
fiat apud Deum pa- ceptable to God the 
trem omnipotentem. Father almighty. 

B. Suscipiat Domi- B. May the Lord re- 
nus sacrificium de ceive the sacrifice 
manibus tuis ad lau- from thy hands, to the 
dem et gloriam nomi- praise and glory of his 
nis sui, ad utilitatem own name, and to our 
quoque nostram, to- benefit, and that of all 
tiusque Ecclesiae suae his holy Church, 
sanctae. 

Secret. — Sanctify, we beseech thee, 
0 Lord our God, by the invocation of 
thy holy name, the victim of this ob- 
lation ; and by it make us ourselves an 
eternal offering to thee. Through, 
etc. 

* II. Secret. — Graciously hear us, 0 
God our Saviour ; that by virtue of this 
sacrament thou mayest defend us from 
all enemies, of both soul and body; 
12 



178 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 



grant us grace in this, life, and glory in 
the next. 



P. Per omnia saecu- 
la saeculorum. 
. P. Amen. 

P. Dominus vobis- 
cum. 

P. Et cum spiritu 
tuo. 

P. Sursum corda. 

P. Habemus ad Do- 
minion. 

P. Gratias agamus 
Domino Deo nostro. 

P. Dignum et jus- 
tum est. 



P. World without 
end. 

P. Amen. 

P. The Lord be with 
you. 

P. And with thy 
spirit. 

P. Lift up your 
hearts. 

P. We have lifted 
them up to the Lord. 

P. Let us give 
thanks to the Lord 
our God. 

P. It is meet and 
just. 



THE PREFACE. 

ON FESTIVALS AND OTHER DAYS THAT HA YE 
NONE PROPER, AND IN MASSES FOR THE 
DEAD. 



"TTERE dignum et 
' justum est, sequ- 
um et salutare, nos able to salvation, that 
tibi semper, et ubique we should always, and 



TT is truly meet and 
just, right and avail- 



THE PREFACE. 



179 



gratias agere, Domine 
sancte, Pater omnipo- 
tens, seterne Deus. 
* Per Christum Domi- 
nion nostrum ; per 
quern majestatem tu- 
am laudant angeli, 
adorant dominationes, 
tremunt potestates ; 
cceli coelorumque vir- 
tutes, ac beata sera- 
phim, socia exulta- 
t i o n e concelebrant. 
Cum quibus et nostras 
voces, ut admitti jube- 
as deprecamur, sub- 
plici confessione di- 
centes : 

Sanctus, sanctus, 
sanctus, Dominus De- 
us Sabaoth. Pleni 
sunt .coeli et terra glo- 
ria tua. Hosanna in 
excelsis. Benedictus 
qui venit in nomine 

* This mark refers to i 
proper prefaces. 



in all places, give 
thanks to thee, O holy 
Lord, Father almigh- 
ty, eternal God. 
* Through Christ our 
Lord ; by whom the 
angels praise thy maj- 
esty, the dominations 
adore it, the powers 
tremble before it, the 
heavens, the heavenly 
virtues, and blessed 
seraphim, with com- 
mon jubilee glorify it. 
Together with whom 
we beseech thee, that 
we may be admitted 
to join our humble 
voices, saying : 

Holy, holy, holy, 
Lord God of Hosts. 
Heaven and earth are 
full of thy glory. Ho- 
sanna in the highest. 
Blessed is he that 
cometh in the name of 

tie subsequent part of the 



180 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 



Domini. Hosanna in 
excelsis. 

ON TRINITY SUNDAY, 
SUNDAY IN THE 
PROPER PREFACE. 

* AUI cum unigenito 
W Filio tuo et Spir- 
itu Sancto unus es De- 
us, unus es Dominus : 
non in unius singula- 
ritate Personae, sed in 
unius Trinitate sub- 
stantia?. Quod enim 
de tua gloria, reve- 
lante te, credimus, lioc 
de Filio tuo, hoc de 
Spiritu Sancto, sine 
differentia discretionis 
sentimus. Ut in con- 
fessione veraa, sempi- 
ternaeque Deitatis, et 
in Personis proprietas, 
et in essentia unitas, 
et in Ma j estate adore- 
tur aequalitas. Quam 
laudant angeli atque 
archangeli, cherubim 



the Lord. Hosanna in 
the highest. 

AND EVERY OTHER 
YEAR THAT HAS NO 

*WHO together 
' " with thy only 
begotten Son and the 
Holy Ghost, art one 
God and one Lord : not 
in a singularity of one 
Person but in a Trini- 
ty of one substance. 
For what we believe of 
thy glory, as thou 
hast revealed, the 
same we believe of 
thy Son, and of the 
Holy Ghost, without 
any difference or dis- 
tinction. So that in 
the confession of the 
true and eternal Deity, 
we adore a distinction 
in the Persons, an uni- 
ty in the essence, and 
an equality in the 



THE PREFACE. 



181 



quoque ac seraphim ; 
qui non cessant cla- 
mare quotidie, una 
voce dicentes, Sanc- 
tus, etc. 



Majesty. Whom the 
angels and archangels, 
the cherubim also and 
seraphim praise ; and 
cease not daily to cry 
out with one voice, 
saying, Holy, etc. 

FROM CHRISTMAS-DAY TILL THE EPIPHANY ; 
ON CORPUS CHRISTI J AND ON OUR LORD'S 
TRANSFIGURATION. 

* A^IA per incarnati * O INCE by the mys- 

Verbi mysteri- ^ tery of the Word 

um, nova mentis nos- made flesh, a new ray 

trae oculis lux tuae of thy glory has ap- 

claritatis infulsit ; ut peared to the eyes of 

dum visibiliter Deum our souls ; that while 

cognoscimus perhunc we behold God visi- 

in invisibilium amo- bly, we may be carried 

rem rapiamur. f Et by him to the love of 

ided cum angelis et things invisible. fAnd 

archangelis, cum thro- therefore with the an- 

nis et dominationibus, gels and archangels, 

cumque omni militia with the thrones and 

coelestis exercitus, dominations, and with 

hymnum gloriae tuae all the heavenly host, 

canimus, sine fine di- we sing an everlasting 

t Prefaces thus marked are concluded in the same 
manner as this. 



182 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 



centes, Sanctus, Sane- hymn to thy glory, 
tus, etc. saying, Holy, etc. 

ON THE EPIPHANY AND DURING ITS OCTAVE. 

* A UIA cum unigen- * T) ECAUSE when 
W itus tuus in sub- thy only begot- 

stantia nostra? mortal- ten Son appeared in 
itatis apparuit, nova the substance of our 
nosinimortalitatissuae mortal flesh, he re- 
luce reparavit. f Et paired us by the new 
ided, cum angelis, etc. light of his immortal- 
ity, f And therefore, 
etc. 

IN LENT TILL PASSION-SUNDAY. 

* AUI corporali jeju- * YI7HO by his bodily 
W nio vitia com- * ■ fast extinguish- 

primis, mentem ele- est our vices, elerat- 
vas, virtutem largiris est our understanding, 
etpraemia. -Per Chris- bestowest on us vir- 
tum, etc. tue and its rewards. 

* Through, etc. 

ON PASSION AND PALM SUNDAYS, MAUNDAY 
THURSDAY, AND FEASTS OF THE HOLY 
CROSS. 

* AUI salutem hu- * 117 HO hast appoint- 
W mani generis in " ■ ed the salva- 

ligno Crucis constitu- tion of mankind to be 
isti ; ut unde mors or- wrought on the wood 



THE PREFACE. 



183 



iebatur, inde vita re- 
surgeret, et qui in lig- 
no vincebat, in lig- 
no quoque vinceretur. 
* Per Christum Domi- 
num nostrum, etc. 



of the cross; that from 
whence death came, 
thence life might 
arise, and that he 
who overcame by the 
tree, might also by 
the tree be overcome. 
* Through, etc. 



PROM HOLY SATURDAY TILL THE ASCENSION. 

VERE dignum et TT is truly meet and 
justum est, aequ- 4 just, right and avail- 
um et salutare, te qui- able to salvation to 
dem Dornine onmi praise thee, O Lord, 
tempore, sed [in hac at all times, but chief - 
potissimum nocte ml ly on this [night or 
die, vet] in hoc glorio- day, or at this time] 
sius praedicare, cum when Christ our Pass- 
Pascha nostrum im- over was sacrificed for 
molatus est Christus. us. For he is the 
Ipse enum verus est true Lamb who hath 
Agnus, qui abstulit taken away the sins 
peccata mundi, qui of the world, who by 
mortem nostram mo- dying has destroyed 
riendo destruxit, et vi- our death, and by ris- 
tam resurgendo repa- ing again has restored 
ravit. f Et ideo, cum us to life. f And 
angelis, etc. therefore, etc. 



184 THE OBDINARY OF THE MASS. 



FROM ASCENSION-DA 

* pER Christum Do- 

milium nostrum. 
Qui post resurrection - 
em suam omnibus dis- 
cipulis suis manif estus 
apparuit, et ipsis cer- 
nentibus est elevatus 
in ccelum, ut nos divi- 
nitatis suae tribueret 
esse participes. f Et 
ided, etc. 

FROM WHrTSUN-EVE 
AND IN YOTIYE 
GHOST. 

* DER Christum Po- 

minum nostrum 
Qui ascendens super 
omnes coelos, sedens- 
que ad dexteram tu- 
am, promissum Spirit- 
um Sanctum [hodier- 
na die] in filios adopti- 
onis effudit. Quaprop- 
ter profusis gaudiis 



TILL WHITSUN-EVE. 

* THROUGH Christ 
our Lord. Who 
after his resurrection 
appeared openly to all 
his disciples, and in 
their presence ascend- 
ed into heaven, to 
make us partakers of 
his divine nature, 
f And therefore, etc. 



TILL TRINITY- SUNDAY : 
MASSES OF THE HOLY 

* THROUGH Christ 
our Lord. Who 
ascending above all 
the heavens, and sit- 
ting at thy right hand, 
sent down the prom- 
ised Holy Spirit [this 
day] upon the children 
of adoption. Where- 
fore the whole world 



THE PBEFACE. 



185 



totus in orbe terrarum 
mundus exultat. Sed 
et supernas virtutes 
atque angelicas potes- 
tates, hymnum glorias 
tuas concinunt, sine 
fine dicentes, Sanctus, 
etc. 



displays its excess of 
joy. The heavenly 
virtues also and all 
the angelic powers, 
sing in concert an 
everlasting hymn to 
thy glory, saying, Ho- 
ly, etc. 



ON FESTIVALS OF THE B. V. MARY, THE 
PURIFICATION EXCEPTED, ON WHICH IS 
SAID THE PREFACE OF CHRISTMAS. 



* PT te in N. Beatas 
Marias semper 
Yirginis collaudare, 
benidicere, et prasdi- 
care. Quae et unige- 
nitum tuuin Sancti 
Spiritus obumbratione 
concepit, et virginita- 
tis gloria permanente, 
lnmen asternum mun- 
do efhidit, Jesum 
Christnm Dominum 
nostrum. * Per quern, 
etc. 



*AND that we should 
praise, bless and 
glorify thee on the N. 
of the blessed Mary, 
ever a Virgin. Who 
by the overshadow- 
ing of the Holy Ghost 
conceived thy only be- 
gotten Son, and the 
glory of her virginity 
still remaining, 
brought forth the 
eternal light of the 
world, Jesus Christ 
our Lord. * By whom, 
etc. 



186 



THE CANON OF THE MASS. 



ON THE FESTIVALS OF THE APOSTLES. 

T7ERE dignum et T T is truly meet and 

* justuni est, sequ- just, right and 

urn et salutare, te Do- available to salvation, 

mine suppliciter exo- humbly to beseech 

rare, ut gregem tuum, thee that thou, O Lord, 

Pastor seterne, non our eternal Shepherd, 

deseras, sed per beatos wouldst not forsake 

apostolos tuos conti- thy flock, but keep 

nua protectione custo- it under thy contin- 

dias. Ut iisdem rec- ual protection by thy 

toribus gubernetur, blessed apostles. That 

quos operis tui vica- it may be governed by 

rios eidem contulisti those whom thou hast 

preeesse pastores. f Et appointed its vicars 

ideo, cum angelis, etc. and pastors, f And 
therefore, etc. 

THE CANON OF THE MASS. 

TE igitur, dementis- T1TE therefore, hum- 

sime Pater, per Je- » ^ bly pray and be- 

sum Christum Filium seech thee, most mer- 

tuum Dominum nos- ciful Father, through 

trum, supplices roga- Jesus Christ thy Son, 

mus, ac petimus, uti our Lord, that thou 

accepta habeas, et be- wouldst vouchsafe to 

nedicas, hsec dona, accept and bless these 



THE CANON OF THE MASS. 



187 



hsec munera, hsec sanc- 
ta, sacrificia illibata, 
imprimis qua? tibi of- 
ferimus pro Ecclesia 
tua sancta catholica, 
quam pacificare, cus- 
todire, adunare, et re- 
gere digneris toto orbe 
terrarum ; una cum 
famulo tuo Papa nos- 
tro N. et Antistite nos- 
tro X. et omnibus or- 
thodoxis atque catho- 
lics et apostolicae fidei 
cultoribus. 



gifts, these presents, 
these holy unspotted 
sacrifices, which in 
the first place we offer 
thee for thy holy 
catholic Church, to 
which vouchsafe to 
grant peace as also to 
preserve, unite, and 
govern it throughout 
the world ; together 
with thy servant N. 
our Pope, X. our Bish- 
op, as also all orthodox 
believers and profess- 
ors of the catholic and 
apostolic faith. 



COMMEMORATION OF THE LIVTNG. 



MEMENTO, Domi- 
ne, famulo rum 
famularumque tua- 
rurn N. et N. 



T> E mindful, 0 Lord, 
of thy servants, 
men and women, N. 
andN. 



HE PRAYS SILENTLY FOR THOSE HE INTENDS 
TO PRAY FOR. 



E T 



omnium circum- A ND of all here pre- 
stantium, quorum sent, whose faith 



1S3 



THE CASOX OF THE MASS. 



tibi fides cognita est, 
et nota devotio, pro 
quibus tibi ofierimus, 
yel qui tibi offerunt 
hoc sacrificium laudis, 
pro se suisque omni- 
bus, pro redemptions 
aii hii arum suaruni, 
pro spe salutis etinco- 
lumitatis sua?, tibique 
reddunt Tota sua aeter- 
no Deo, tito et Tero. 



Communicantes, et 
memoriam Teneran- 
tes, imprimis gloriosas 
semper Virginis Ma- 
rias, Genetricis Dei et 
Domini nostri Jesu 
Christi ; sed et beato- 
rum Apostolorum ac 
Martyrum tuorum, 
Petri et Pauli, Andreae, 
Jacobi, Joannis, Tho- 
mae, Jacobi, Philip- 
pi, Bartholomaei, Mat- 



and deTOtion are 
known unto thee, for 
whom we offer, or 
who offer up to thee 
this sacrifice of praise 
for themselves, their 
families, and friends, 
for the redemption of 
their souls, for the 
health and salvation 
they hope for, and for 
which they now pay 
their vows to thee, the 
eternal, living, and 
true God. 

Communicating with 
and honoring in the 
first place, the memory 
of the ever glorious 
Virgin Mary, Mother 
of our Lord and God 
Jesus Christ ; as also 
of the blessed Apostles 
and Martyrs, Peter 
and Paul, Andrew, 
James, John, Thomas, 
James, Philip, Bar- 
tholomew, Matthew, 



THE CANON OF THE MASS. 



189 



thaei, Simonis et Simon and Thadeus, 

Thadaei, Lini, Cleti, Linus, Cletus, Clem- 

Clementis, Xysti, Cor- ent, Xystus, Corne- 

nelii, Cypriani, Lau- lius, Cyprian, Law- 

rentii, Chrysogoni, Jo- rence, Chrysogonus, 

annis et Pauli, Cosmae John and Paul, Cos- 

et Damiani, et omnium mas and Damian, and 

Sanctorum tuoruni, of all thy Saints, 

quorum meritis preci- through whose merits 

busque concedas, ut in and prayers grant that 

omnibus protectionis we may be always de- 

tuae muniamur aux- fended by the help of 

ilio. Per eumdem thy protection. Thro' 

Christum Dominum the same Christ our 

nostrum. Amen. Lord. Amen. 

SPREADING HIS HANDS OYER THE OBLATION, 
HE SAYS : 

TTANC igitur oblatio- Y\7E therefore be- 



trae sed et cunctae fa- Lord, graciously to ac- 

miliae tuae, quaesumus, cept this oblation of 

Domine, ut placatus our servitude, as also 

accipias ; diesque nos- of thy whole family ; 

tros in tua pace dispo- and to dispose our 

nas, atque ab aeterna days in thy peace, pre- 

damnatione nos eripi, serve us from eternal 

et in electorum tuo- damnation, and rank 




seech thee, O 



190 THE CAtfON OF THE MASS. 



rum jubeas grege nu- 
merari. Per Christum 
Dominum nostrum. 
Amen. 

Quam oblationem tu 
Deus, in omnibus, 
quaBSumus, benedic- 
tam, adscriptam, ra- 
tam, rationabilem, ac- 
ceptabilemque facere 
digneris ; ut nobis 
Corpus et Sanguis fiat 
dilectissimi Filii tui 
Domini nostri Jesu 
Christi. 

Qui pridie quam pa- 
teretur, accepit panem 
in sanctas ac venera- 
biles manus suas, et 
elevatis oculis in coe- 
lum, ad te Deum Pa- 
trem suum omnipo- 
tentem, tibi gratias 
agens, benedixit, fre- 
git, deditque discipu- 
lis suis, dicens : Acci- 
pite et manducate ex 
boc omnes, Hoc est 

EXLM COKPUS MEUM. 



us in the number of 
thine elect. Through 
Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Which oblation do 
thou, O God, vouch- 
safe, in all respects, to 
bless, approve, ratify, 
and accept ; that it 
may be made for us 
the body and blood of 
thy most beloved Son 
Jesus Christ our Lord. 



Who the day before 
he suffered, took bread 
into his holy and ven- 
erable hands, and with 
his eyes lifted up 
toward heaven, giv- 
ing thanks to thee, 
Almighty God, his Fa- 
ther, he blessed it, 
brake it, and gave it 
to his disciples, say- 
ing : Take and eat ye 
all of this, For this 

IS MY BODY. 



THE CANON OF THE MASS. 



191 



AFTER PRONOUNCING THE WORDS OF CON- 
SECRATION, THE PRIEST, ENEELLNG, 
ADORES AND ELEVATES THE SACRED 
HOST. 

QIMILI modo, post- TX like manner, after 
^ quam coenatum est, he had supped, tak- 
accipiens et hunc prae- ing also this excellent 
clarum calicem in chalice into his holy 



sanctas ac venerabiles 
manns suas, item tibi 
gratias agens,benedix- 
it. deditqne discipulis 



and venerable hands, 
giving thee also 
thanks, he blessed, 
and gave it to his dis- 



suis, dicens : Accipite ciples, saying : Take 

et bibite ex eo omnes, and drink ye all of 

HlC EST ENFAI CALIX this, FOR THIS IS THE 

SANGUINIS MEI NOVE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD 

ET iETERNI TESTA- OF THE NEW AND 

MENTI, MYSTERIUM ETERNAL TESTAMENT, 



FIDEI : QUI IRO VO- 
BIS ET PRO MULTIS 



THE MYSTERY OF 
FAITH : WHICH SHALL 



EFFUNDETUR IN RE- BE SHED FOR YOU, 



MISSIONEM PECCATO- 
RUM. 

Hsec quotiescunique 
feceritis, in mei me- 
moriam facie tis. 



AND FOR MANY, TO THE 
REMISSION OF SINS. 

As often as ye do 
these things, ye shall 
do them in remem- 
brance of me. 



192 THE CANON OF THE MASS. 



HERE ALSO KNEELD 
ELEVATES T] 

TTNDE et memores, 
^ Domine, nos servi 
tui, sed et plebs tua 
sancta, ejusdem Chris- 
ti Filii tui Domini nos- 
tri tarn beatae passio- 
nis, necnon et ab infe- 
ris resurrectionis, sed 
et in coelos gloriosaB 
ascensionis, offerimus 
prseclarse Majestati 
tuse, de tuis donis ac 
datis, Hostiam puram, 
Hostiam sanctam, Hos- 
tiam immaculatam, 
panem sanctum vitse 
set erase, et calicem sa- 
lutis perpetuae. 

Supra quae propitio 
ac sereno vultu respi- 
cere digneris, et accep- 
ta habere, sicuti accep 
ta habere dignatus es 
munerapueri tui justi 



G, HE ADORES AND 
[E CHALICE. 

WHEREFORE, O 
' » Lord, we thy ser- 
vants, as also thy holy 
people, calling to mind 
the blessed passion of 
the same Christ thy 
Son our Lord, his res- 
urrection from the 
dead, and admirable 
ascension into heaven, 
offer unto thy most 
excellent Majesty of 
thy gifts bestowed 
upon us, a pure Host, 
a holy Host, an un- 
spotted Host, the holy 
bread of eternal life, 
and chalice of ever- 
lasting salvation. 

Upon which vouch- 
safe to look, with a 
propitious and serene 
countenance, and to ac- 
cept them, as thou wert 
graciously pleased to 



THE CANON OF THE MASS. 193 



Abel, et sacrificium 
Patriarch® n o s t r i 
Abrahas, et quod tibi 
obtulit snmmus sa- 
cerdos tuus Melchise- 
dech, sanctum sacrifi- 
cium, immaculatani 
Hostiam. 

Supplices te roga- 
mus, omnipotens De- 
us, jube hsec prseferri 
per manus sancti an- 
geli tui in sublime al- 
tare tuum, in conspec- 
tu divinse Majestatis 
tuae, ut quotquot ex 
hac altaris participati- 
one sacro-sanctum Fi- 
lii tui corpus et san- 
guinem sumpserimus, 
omni benedictione coe- 
lesti et gratia replea- 
mur. Per eumdem 
Christum Dominum 
nostrum. Amen. 

13 



accept tbe gifts of thy 
just servant Abel, and 
tbe sacrifice of our 
Patriarch Abraham, 
and that which thy 
high priest Melchise- 
dech offered to thee, 
a holy sacrifice and 
unspotted victim. 

We most humbly 
beseech thee, almigh- 
ty God, to command 
these things to be car- 
ried by the hands of 
thy holy angel to thy 
altar on high, in the 
sight of thy divine 
Majesty, that as many 
as shall partake of the 
most sacred body and 
blood of thy Son at 
this altar, may be fill- 
ed with every heaven- 
ly grace and bless- 
ing. Through the 
same Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



194 THE CANON OF THE MASS. 



COMMEMORATION OF THE DEAD. 

MEMENTO etiam, T)E mindful, 0 Lord, 
^ Doniine, faniulo- of thy servants N. 
rum famularunique and X. who are gone 
tuarum X. et X. qui before us with the 
nos praecesserunt cum sign of faith, and rest 
signo fidei, et dormi- in the sleep of peace, 
unt in somno pacis. 

HERE PARTICULAR MENTION IS SILENTLY 
MADE OF SUCH OF THE DEAD AS ARE TO 
BE PRAYED FOR. 

TPSIS, Domine, et TO these, 0 Lord, 

omnibus in Christo and to all that sleep 

quiescentibus, locum in Christ, grant, we 

refrigerii, lucis et pa- beseech thee, a place 

cis, ut indulgeas de- of refreshment, light, 

precamur : per eum- and peace : through 

dem Christum Domi- the same Christ our 

num nostrum. Amen. Lord. Amen. 

HERE, STRIKING HIS BREAST, THE PRIEST 
SAYS : 

OBIS quoque pec- A LSO to us sinners, 
catoribus famulis thy servants, con- 
tuis, de multitudine fiding in the multitude 
miserationum tuarum of thy mercies, vouch- 



THE CANON OF THE MASS. 195 



sperantibus, partem 
aliquam et societ al em 
donare digneris, cum 
tuis Sanctis apostolis 
et martyribus ; cum 
Joanne, Stephano, 
Matthia, Barnaba, Ig- 
natio, Alexandro, Mar- 
cellino, Petro, Felici- 
tate, Perpetua, Aga- 
tha, Lucia, Agnete, 
Caecilia, Anastasia, et 
omnibus Sanctis tuis ; 
intra quorum nos con- 
sortium, non aestima- 
tor meriti, sed veniae 
quaesumus largitor ad- 
mitte. Per Christum 
Dominum nostrum. 

Per quern haec om- 
nia, Domine, semper 
bona creas, sanctificas, 
vivificas, benedicis, et 
praastas nobis. Per 
ipsum, et cum ipso, 
et in ipso, est tibi Deo 
Patri omnipotenti, in 
unitate Spiritus Sanc- 



safe to grant some 
part and fellowship 
with thy holy apostles 
and martyrs ; with 
John, Stephen, Mat- 
thias, Barnabas, Igna- 
tius, Alexander, Mar- 
celline, Peter, Felici- 
tas, Perpetua, Agatha, 
Lucy, Agnes, Cecily, 
Anastasia, and with 
all thy saints ; into 
whose company we 
beseech thee to admit 
us, not in considera- 
tion of our merit, but 
of thy own gratuitous 
pardon. Through 
Christ our Lord. 

By whom, O Lord, 
thou dost always cre- 
ate, sanctify, quicken, 
bless, and give us all 
these good things. 
By him, and with him, 
and in him, is to thee, 
God the Father al- 
mighty, in the unity 



196 



THE CANOK OF THE MASS. 



ti, omnis honor et of the Holy Ghost, all 

gloria. honor and glory. 

P. Per omnia saecu- P. Forever and 

la saeculorum. • ever. 

B. Amen. B. Amen. 

OBEMTJS. LET US PRAY. 

pR^CEPTISsaluta- INSTRUCTED by 
■*■ ribus moniti, et di- ^ thy saving precepts, 
vina institutione for- and following thy di- 
mati, audemus dicere : vine directions, we 
presume to say : 

Pater noster, qui es Our Father, who art 
in coeiis, sanctificetur in heaven, hallowed 
nomen tuum ; adveni- be thy name ; thy 
at regnum tuum ; fiat kingdom come ; thy 
voluntas tua sicut in will be done on earth, 
coelo, et in terra; pa- as it is in heaven; give 
nem nostrum quotidi- us this day our daily 
anum da nobis hodie ; bread ; and forgive us 
et dimitte nobis debita our trespasses as we 
nostra, sicut et nos di- forgive them who 
mittimus debitoribus trespass against us ; 
nostris ; et ne nos in- and lead us not into 
ducas in tentationem. temptation. 

B. Sed libera nos a B. But deliver us 
malo. from evil. 

P. Amen. P. Amen. 



THE CANON OF THE MASS. 



197 



Libera nos, quaesu- 
mus, Domine, ab om- 
nibus malis, prseteri- 
tis, praesentibus, et 
futuris ; et interceden- 
te beata et gloriosa 
semper Virgine Dei 
Genitrice Maria, cum 
beatis apostolis tuis 
Petro et Paulo, at que 
Andrea, et omnibus 
Sanctis, da propitius 
pacem in diebus nos- 
tris, ut ope misericor- 
diae tuae adjuti, et a 
peccato simus semper 
liberi, et ab omni per- 
turbatione securi. Per 
eumdem Dominum 
nostrum Jesum Chris- 
tum Filium tuum, qui 
tecum vivit et regnat, 
in unitate Spiritus 
Sancti, Deus. 

P. Per omnia saecula 
saeculorum. 
R. Amen. 



Deliver us, we be- 
seech thee, 0 Lord, 
from all evils, past, 
present and to come ; 
and by the intercession 
of the blessed and 
ever glorious Virgin 
Mary Mother of God r 
and of the holy 
apostles Peter and 
Paul, and of Andrew, 
and of all the saiD+s, 
mercifully grant peace 
in our days, that 
through the assistance 
of thy mercy, we may 
be always free from 
sin, and secure from 
all disturbance. 
Through the same 
Jesus Christ, thy Son 
our Lord, who with 
thee and the Holy 
Ghost liveth and 
reigneth, God. 

P. ^Yorld without 
end. 

B. Amen. 



198 THE CANON OF THE MASS. 



P. Pax Domini sit P. The peace of the 
semper vobiscum. Lord be always with 
you. 

B. Et cum spiritu B. And with thy 
tuo. spirit. 

BREAKING THE HOST, HE PUTS A PARTICLE 
THEREOF INTO THE C HA LICE, SAYING : 

MAY this mixture and consecration 
of the body and blood of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, be to us that receive it 
effectual to eternal life. Amen. 

THEN BOWLNG AND STRIKING HIS BREAST, HE 

SAYS : 

A GNUS Dei, qui tol- T AMB of God, who 
lis peccata mundi, takest away the 

* miserere nobis. sins of the world, 

* have mercy on us. 
Agnus Dei, qui tol- Lamb of God, who 
tis peccata mundi, takest away the sins 

* miserere nobis. of the world, * have 

mercy on us. 
Agnus Dei, qui tol- Lamb of God, who 
lis peccata mundi, * takest away the sins 
dona nobis pacem. of the world, * give us 

peace. 

In Masses for the Dead, he says hcice, * Give them 
rest : and lastly, * Give them eternal rest. 



THE CANON OF THE MASS. 



199 



THE FOLLOWING PBAYER IS THEN ALSO 
OMITTED. 



TVOMINE Jesu Chris- 
■M te, qui dixisti 
apostolis tuis, pacem 
relinquo vobis, pacem 
meam do vobis, ne re- 
spicias peccata inea, 
sed fidem Ecclesiae 
tuae ; eamque secun- 
dum voluntatem tuam 
pacificare et coaduna- 
re digneris ; qui vivis 
et regnas Deus, per 
omnia ssecula sseculo- 
rum. Amen. 

Domine Jesu Chris- 
te, Fili Dei vivi, qui 
ex voluntate Patris, 
co-operante Spiritu 
Sancto, per mortem 
tuam mundum vivifi- 
casti, libera me per 
hoc sacro- sanctum cor- 
pus et sanguinem 
tuum ab omnibus ini- 



T ORD Jesus Christ, 
who saidst to thy 
apostles, I leave you 
peace, I give you my 
peace, regard not my 
sins, but the faith of 
thy church ; and grant 
her that peace and 
unity which is agree- 
able to thy will ; who 
lives t and r eigne st for- 
ever and ever. Amen, 



Lord Jesus Christ, 
Son of the living God, 
who, according to the 
will of thy Father, 
hast by thy death, 
through the co-opera- 
tion of the Holy 
Ghost, given life to 
the world, deliver me 
by this thy most sa- 



200 THE CANON OF THE MASS. 



quitatibus meis, et 
universis malis ; et 
fac me tuis semper in- 
haerere mandatis, et & 
te nuruquam separari 
permittas ; qui cum 
eodem Deo Patrie et 
Spirit u Sancto yivis et 
regnas Deus in seecula 
sseculorum. Amen. 

Perceptio corporis 
tui, Doruine Jesu 
Christ e, quod ego in- 
dignus sumere praesu- 
mo, non milii proveni- 
at in judicium et con- 
demnationem ; sed pro 
tua pietate prosit mini 
ad tutamentum mentis 
et corporis, et ad me- 
delam percipiendam ; 
qui vivis et regnas 
cum Deo Patre in uni- 
tate Spirit us Sancti, 
Deus, per omnia saecu- 
la saeculoruin. Amen. 



cred body and blood 
from all my iniquities, 
and from all evils ; 
and make me always 
adhere to thy com- 
mandments, and never 
suffer me to be sepa- 
rated from thee ; who 
livest and reignest 
with God the Father, 
etc. Amen. 

Let not the partici- 
pation of thy body, O 
Lord Jesus Christ, 
which I, though un- 
worthy, presume to 
receive, turn to my 
judgment and condem- 
nation ; but through 
thy mercy, may it be 
a safe-guard and rem- 
edy, both to soul and 
body ; who with God 
the Father, in the 
unity of the Holy 
Ghost, livest and 
reignest God forever 
and ever. Amen. 



THE CANON OF THE MASS. 



201 



TAKING THE HOST IN HIS HANDS, HE SATS : 

PANEM coelesteni T WILL take the 
accipiani, et nomen bread of heaven, 
Domini invocabo, and call upon the 

name of our Lord. 

STRIKING HIS BREAST WITH HUMILITY AND 
DEVOTION, HE SAYS THRICE : 

TvOMIXE, non sum T ORD, I am not wor- 
U dignus ut intres thy that thou 

sub tectum meum : shouldst enter under 

sed tantum die verbo, my roof ; say but the 

et sanabitur anima word, and my soul 

mea. shall be healed. 

RECEIVING REVERENTLY BOTH PARTS OF THE 
HOST, HE SAYS : 

pORPUS Domini MAY the Body of 
^ nostri Jesu Christi our Lord Jesus 

custodiat animam me- Christ preserve my 

am in vitam seternam. soul to life everlast- 

Amen. ing. Amen. 

TAKING THE CHALICE, HE SAYS : 

QUID retribuam Do- XT HAT return shall 

mino pro omnibus ' ' I make the Lord 

quae retribuit mihi? for all he has given 

Calicem salutaris acci- to me ? I will take the 



202 THE CANON OF THE MASS. 



piam, et nomen Domi- chalice of salvation, 
ni inyocabo. Laudans and call upon the 
invocabo Dominium, et name of the Lord, 
ab inimicis meis sal- Praising, I will call 
vus ero. upon the Lord, and 

shall be saved from 
my enemies. 

RECEIVING THE BLOOD OF OUR SAVIOUR, HE 
SAYS : 

CANGUIS Domini MAY the blood of 
^ nostri Jesu Christi our Lord Jesus 
custodiat animam me- Christ preserve my* 
am in vitarti seternani. soul to everlasting 
Amen. life. Amen. 

TAKING THE FIRST ABLUTION, HE SAYS : 

QUOD ore sumpsi- H RANT, 0 Lord, that 
mus, Domine, pur a ^ what we have taken 
mente capiamus, ut de with our mouth, we 
munere temporali fiat may receive with a 
nobis remedium sein- pure mind, that of a 
piternum. temporal gift it may 

become to us an eter- 
nal remedy. 

TAKING THE SECOND ABLUTION, HE SAYS : 

CORPUS tuum, Do- If AY thy Body, O 
^ mine, quod sump- Lord, which I have 



THE CANON OF THE MASS. 



203 



si, et sanguis quern received, and thy 

potavi, adhaereat vis- Blood which I have 

ceribus meis ; et drank, cleave to my 

praesta ut in me non bowels ; and grant 

remaneatscelerumma- that no stain of sin 

cula, quern pura et may remain in me, 

sancta refecerunt sac- who have been fed 

ramenta. Qui vivis et with this pure and 

regnas in ssecula saecu- holy sacrament. Who 

lorum. A??ien. livest and reignest for- 
ever and ever. Amen. 

Comm. — We bless the God of heaven, 
and we will praise him in the sight of 
all the living : because he hath shown 
us his mercy. 

P. Dominus vobis- P. The Lord be with 

cum. you. 

P. Et cum spiritu P. And with thy 

tuo. spirit. 

P. Oremus. P. Let us pray. 

P. Comm. — Proficiat. May the re- 
ceiving of this sacrament, 0 Lord our 
God, -avail us to the salvation of body 
and soul, together with the confession 
of an everlasting Holy Trinity, and of 



204 THE CANON OF THE MASS. 



the undivided Unity thereof. Through, 
&c. 

* II. P. Coisrsi.—Munclet. May the 
oblation of this divine sacrament, we 
beseech thee, 0 Lord, both cleanse and 
defend us ; and by the intercession of 
the blessed Mary, the Virgin Mother 
of God, of the blessed Joseph, of the 
blessed apostles Peter and Paul, of bless- 
ed 1ST. and of all the saints, free us from 
all sin, and deliver us from all adver- 
sity. Through, etc. 

P. Dominus vobis- P. The Lord be with 
cuni. you. 

B. Et cum spiritu B. And with thy 
tuo . spirit. 

P. lie missa est, xel P. Go, you are dis- 
Benedicamus Domino, missed, or Let us bless 
the Lord. 

B. Deo gratias. B. Thanks be to 

God. 

IN MASSES FOR THE DEAD. 

P. Requieseant in P. May they rest in 
pace. peace. 
B. Amen. B. Amen. 



THE CANON OF THE MASS. 



205 



BOWING EEFORE THE ALTAR, THE PRIEST 
SAYS : 



PLACE AT tibi, 
sancta Trinitas, 
obsequium servitutis 
meae ; et praesta, ut 
sacrificiuin quod ocu- 
lis tuds Majestatis in- 
dignus obtuli, tibi sit 
acceptabile, mihique, 
et omnibus pro quibus 
illud obtuli, sit, te mis- 
erante, propitiabile. 
Per Christum Domi- 
num nostrum. Amen. 



LET the performance 
of my homage be 
pleasing to thee, 0 
holy Trinity ; and 
grant that the sacrifice 
which I, though un- 
worthy, have offered 
up in the sight of thy 
Majesty, may be ac- 
ceptable to thee, and 
through thy mercy be 
a propitiation for me, 
and all those for whom 
it has been offered. 
Through, etc. 



TURNING HIMSELF TOWARD THE PEOPLE, 
HE GIVES THEM HIS BLESSING, SAYING : 



BENEDICAT v o s 
omnipotens Deus, 
* Pater, et Filius, et 
Spiritus Sanctus. 
B. Amen. 
P. Dominus vobis- 
cum. 



AY almighty Glod, 
# the Father, 
Son, and Holy Ghost, 
bless you. 
B. Amen. 

P. Our Lord be with 
you. 



206 THE CANON OF THE MASS. 



P. Et cum spiritu 
tuo. 

P. Initium sancti 
Evangelii, secundum 
Joannem. 

B. Gloria tibi, Do- 
mine. 

IN principio erat Ver- 
bum, et Verbum 
erat apud Deum, et 
Deus erat Verbum. 
Hoc erat in principio 
apud Deum. Omnia 
per ipsum facta sunt, 
et sine ipso factum est 
nihil, quod factum est. 
In ipso vita erat, et 
vita erat lux homi- 
num ; et lux in tene- 
bris lucet, et tenebraD 
earn non comprehende 
runt. 



Fuit hoino missus a 
Deo, cui nomen erat 
Joannes. Hie venit in 
testimonium, ut testi- 



B. And with thy 
spirit. 

P. The beginning of 
the Gospel according 
to St. John. 

B. Glory be to thee, 
0 Lord. 

IN the beginning was 
the Word, and the 
Word was with God, 
and the Word was 
God. The same was 
in the beginning with 
God. All things were 
made by him, and 
without him was made 
nothing that was 
made. In him was 
life, and the life was 
the light of men ; and 
the light shineth in 
darkness, and the 
darkness did not com- 
prehend it. 

There was a man 
sent from God, whose 
name was John. This 
man came for a wit- 



THE CANON OF THE MASS. 



207 



monium perhiberet de 
lumine, ut omnes cre- 
derent per ilium. Non 
erat ille lux : sed ut 
testimonium perliibe- 
ret de lumine. Erat 
lux vera, quae illumi- 
nat omnem hominem 
venientem in nunc 
mundum. 

In mundo erat, et 
mundus per ipsum f ac- 
tus est, et mundus 
eum non cognovit. In 
propria venit, et sui 
eum non receperunt. 
Quotquot autem rece- 
perunt eum, dedit eis 
potestatem filios Dei 
fieri ; his qui credunt 
in nomine ejus, qui 
non ex sanguinibus, 
neque ex voluntate 
carnis, neque ex vo- 
luntate viri, sed ex 
Deo nati sunt. EtvER- 

BTJM CARO FACTUM 



ness to give testimony 
of the light, that all 
men might believe 
through him. He was 
not the light, but was 
to give testimony of 
the light. That was 
the true light which 
enlighteneth every 
man that cometh into 
this world. 

He was in the world, 
and the world was 
made by him, and the 
world knew him not. 
He came unto his own, 
and his own received 
him not. But as many 
as received him, to 
them he gave power 
to be made the sons of 
God ; to them that be- 
lieve in his name, who 
are born, not of blood, 
nor of the will of the 
flesh, nor of the will 
of man, but of God. 

And THE WORD WAS 



208 



THE CANON OF THE MASS. 



est, et habitavit in 
nobis ; et vidimus 
gloriam ejus, gloriam 
quasi unigeniti a Pa- 
tre, plenum gratiae et 
veritatis. 

It. Deo gratias. 



MADE FLESH, and 

dwelt among us ; and 
we saw bis glory as it 
were tbe glory of tbe 
only begotten of tbe 
Fatber, full of grace 
and truth. 

R. Thanks be to 
God. 



ftlass for tlje Dmir. 



DOCTKI^E AND PEACTICE. 

" nnHEY found under the coats of the 
X slain some of the donaries of the 
idols of Jamnia (i. e., votive offerings to 
the idols hung up in the heathen temple 
of Jamnia), which the law forbiddeth 
to the Jews ; so that all plainly saw that 
for this cause they were slain. Then 
they all blessed the just judgment of 
the Lord, who had discovered the 
things which were hidden, and so be- 
taking themselves to prayers, they be- 
sought him, that the sin which had 
been committed might be forgiven. 
But the most valiant Judas exhorted the 
people to keep themselves from sin, for- 
asmuch as they saw before their eyes 
what had happened, because of the sins 
of those that were slain. 

14 209 



210 MASS FOR THE DEAD. 

"And making a gathering, lie sent 
twelve thousand drachms of silver to 
Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for 
the sins of the dead, thinking well and 
religiously concerning the resurrection 
(for if he had not hoped that they that 
were slain should rise again, it would 
have seemed superstitious and vain to 
pray for the dead) ; and because he 
considered that those who had fallen 
asleep with godliness, had great grace 
laid up for them. It is, therefore, a 
holy and wholesome thought to pray 
for the dead that they may be loosed 
from sins. 7 ' (2 Machabees, xii. 40, and 
following. ) 

St. Ephraem Syrus (died about 378) 
thus beseeches his surviving friends to 
say mass for his soul : "0 brethren, 
. . . follow me after death by prayer, 
psalms, and offerings. And when I shall 
have been dead thirty days, make a 
memory (a mind) of me, my brothers : 
for the dead are helped by the offerings 



DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE. 211 

of the living. • . . And if the sons 
of Mathathias, ... as you have read 
m the scripture, cleansed from guilt 
through their offerings, those who had 
fallen in battle, heathenish as were their 
deeds and wicked their lives, how much 
more may the priests of the Son of God 
by their holy oblations (sacrifices), and 
by their oral supplications, obtain for 
the dead the remission of their sins/' 
(Biblioth. Orientalis, t. 1., pp. 143, 
144.) 

St. Ambrose (340-397) thus mentions 
the practice of the thirtieth day's com- 
memoration or "Month's Mind," as 
celebrated for the repose of the soul of 
the Emperor Theodosius the Great : 

"We mourned all together not long 
ago, at the death of this sovereign, 
and now, with the Emperor Honorius 
present beside the altar, we celebrate the 
'fortieth day;' because just as holy 
Joseph performed toward his father the 
sacred rites of burial, even so does Ho- 



212 MASS FOR THE DEAD. 

norms discharge the same duty toward 
his father, Theodosius. And, inasmuch 
as some persons observe the custom of 
celebrating the 6 thirtieth day/ and 
others again the seventh and the for- 
tieth, let us see what the proper read- 
ing of our lesson teacheth." (De Obitu 
TJieodosii. Vol. yii. of Works of St. Am- 
brose, pp. 27, 280. Venice ed. of 1781.) 

The same holy doctor thus consoles 
Faustinus at his sister's death : " In- 
deed I think she is not so much to 
be wept for as to be helped by our 
prayers : nor do I wish her to be sad- 
dened by your tears, but rather that in 
your sacrifices you should commend her 
soul to the Lord." (Epist. xxxviii., 
vol. vi., p. 128.) 

Praying for the soul of his own 
brother, St. Satyrus, Ambrose thus 
expresses himself: "And now, 0 al- 
mighty God, to thee I commend this 
sinless soul, to thee I offer this my vic- 
tim : accept in thy mercy and kindness 



DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE. 213 

the offering of a brother, the sacrifice 
of thy priest." (Ibidem vi., p. 534.) 

Hear him praying for the soul of 
Theodosius : " Give the perfect rest to 
thy servant Theodosius, that rest which 
thou hast prepared for thy saints. Let 
his soul return to whence it came : 
where it cannot feel the sting of death, 
and where he shall know that death 
itself is not the end of our natural ex- 
istence, but of our sinfulness. Him 
haye I loved and him shall I follow to 
the land of the living ; nor will I for- 
sake him, till my tears and prayers 
shall place him where his merits call 
him, within the holy mountain of the 
Lord ; — where there is life without end, 
where there is neither decay nor conta- 
gion, nor wailing, nor sorrow, nor com- 
panionship with the dead, — the true 
land of the living, where 'this mortal 
(body) must put on immortality, and 
this corruptible must put on incorrup- 
tion.'" (De Obitu Tlieodosii.) 



214 MASS FOR THE DEAD. 

St. Augustine, the spiritual child of 
St. Ambrose, relates of his mother, St. 
Monica, also a disciple of the same saint, 
— that when near her death, she said : 
" Lay this body anywhere, let not the 
care of it trouble you at all. This only 
I ask, that you remember me at the 
altar of the Lord, wherever you be." 
(Confessions, book ix., c. 11.) 

Listen, to his most touching inter- 
cession for his dead mother : " I then, 
0 my praise and my life, thou God of 
my heart, putting aside for a little her 
good deeds, for which I joyfully give 
thanks to thee, do now beseech thee for 
the sins of my mother. Hearken unto . 
me, through that medicine of our 
wounds who hung upon the tree, and, 
who, sitting at thy right hand, ' maketh 
intercession for us/ . . . And I believe 
thou hast already done that which I 
asked thee ; but accept the free-will 
offerings of my mouth. For she when 
the day of her dissolution was near at 



DOCTRINE AXD PRACTICE. 



215 



hand, took no thought to have her body 
sumptuously covered, or embalmed with 
spices ; nor did she covet a choice mon- 
ument, or desire her paternal burial- 
place. These cares she intrusted not 
to us ; but only desired to have her 
name remembered at thy altar, which 
she had served without the omission of 
a single day ; whence she knew that 
the Holy Victim was dispensed by whom 
the handwriting that was against us is 
blotted out, by which the enemy was 
overcome, who, summing up our of- 
fenses and searching for something to 
bring against us, found nothing in him 
in whom Ave conquer. "Who will restore 
to him the innocent blood ? Who w T ill 
repay him the price with which he 
bought us, so as to take us from him ? 
To this sacrament of our ransom did 
thy handmaid bind her soul by the 
bond of faith. Let none separate her 
from thy protection ! . . . May she, 
therefore, rest in peace with her hus- 



216 MASS FOR THE DEAD. 

band, before or after whom she married 
none ; whom she obeyed, with patience 
bringing forth fruit unto thee that she 
might gain him also for thee. And in- 
spire, 0 Lord my God, inspire thy ser- 
vants my brethren, thy sons my mas- 
ters, whom with yoiee and heart and 
writings I serve, that so many of them 
as shall read these confessions may at 
thy altar remember Monica, thy hand- 
maid, together with Patricius, her 
sometime husband. . . . May they 
with pious affection be mindful of my 
parents in this transitory light, of my 
brethren who are under thee our Father 
in our Catholic mother, and of my 
fellow-citizens in the eternal Jerusalem 
which the wandering of thy people 
sigheth for from their departure until 
their return." {Ibidem.) 

A century later, Pope St. Gregory 
the Great thus speaks of the "Month's 
Mind," or the month after the decease 
devoted to fasting, prayer, and alms- 



DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE. 217 

giving for the soul of the departed : 
"It is a long time for our deceased 
brother to remain tormented in that 
flame ; we are bound to bestow some- 
what of charity on him, and to aid to 
the best of our power in delivering 
him. Go, therefore, and, beginning 
with to-day, be careful to offer the sac- 
rifice for him during thirty successive 
days, so that not a single day shall pass 
without offering up the Victim of Sal- 
vation for his deliverance.*' (S. Gregorii 
Dialog., 1. iv., c. 4.) 

Thus the custom of consecrating an 
entire month to the remembrance and 
spiritual aid of the departed was an old 
and universal custom in the fourth cen- 
tury. Christians in these very early 
times justified the practice by the ex- 
amples afforded in the Old Testament. 
The Israelites (1 Kings xxxi. 13) fasted 
seven days for Saul and his sons fallen 
in battle ; they mourned forty days for 
Moses, and thirty days for Aaron and 



218 MASS FOR THE DEAD. 

Mary, his sister. Even to this day in 
the Bible lands the period of mourning 
is forty days. 

In England as well as in Ireland, 
from the first introduction of Christian- 
ity, the beautiful and touching custom 
prevailed of devoting an entire month 
to the memory of the dead. During 
thirty days the holy sacrifice was offered 
"for the repose" of the dear departed 
soul, — with especial solemnity on the 
day of death, the day of burial, the 
third day thereafter, the seventh, and 
the thirtieth. This last concluding the 
month of mourning, has retained the 
denomination of the "Month's Mind" 
It was the universal practice to fast and 
perform other austerities in behalf of 
the deceased, to recite the divine office 
or the Psalms, beside assisting at the 
sacrifice of the Mass, and to bestow 
liberal alms on the poor to obtain their 
prayers. Hence, on the third, seventh, 
and thirtieth days, "doles" or distribu- 



DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE. 219 

tion of food or money were made for 
the benefit of the dead, — as well as on 
the yearly anniversary. And these 
" doles " are still kept up in many places 
of England. 

In America, and at the beginning of 
an era of change and reckless innova- 
tion, it behooves the children of the 
Great Mother to cherish her most beau- 
tiful and consoling practices, and to 
cling fondly to all that is left of the 
ancient rites so loved and admired by 
our forefathers. The most important 
duties toward our dead have not been 
discharged when we have inclosed their 
remains in a splendid casket, or secured 
a numerous, folio wing to the cemetery. 
We should remember, with Si Ephraem 
and St. Ambrose, and St. Augustine 
and St. Gregory, that the souls which 
have been arraigned at the Judgment 
Seat may still be far removed from their 
"perfect rest," from "the mountain and 
city of God on high," from "the com- 



220 MASS FOR THE DEAD. 

pany of the angels and saints," — from 
the delights of that beatific vision, which 
is the very essence of the life of heaven. 
The venerable and most touching cus- 
tom of the " Month's Mind," as our an- 
cestors understood it, is practically un- 
known to us. Even our poorest and 
lowliest should be taught to devote 
every day of the entire month after the 
decease of their dear ones, to special 
practices of piety, to acts of mortifica- 
tion or penitential austerity, to alms- 
giving according to their means ; and 
all for the benefit and intention of the 
departed, leaving it to the infinite jus- 
tice and mercy of our Almighty Father 
to accept and apply their offering to 
the need of the suffering soul. 

Of the holy sacrifice to be daily 
offered, — or to be offered at least on the 
third, seventh, and thirtieth days of 
the "Month's Mind," we could not 
speak too earnestly. Let the reader go 
back and meditate the most touching 



DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE. 221 

words of St. Augustine, his humble but 
fervent prayer to his brother priests in 
behalf of his deceased parents, and 
the dying request of St. Monica, his 
mother, never to be forgotten by her 
dear ones at the altar of the living God. 
It is not for the solemn requiem of 
the "Thirtieth Day," now called the 
"Month's Mind," that we are so much 
solicitous, as for the benefit of the divine 
sacrifice itself, on that day as well as 
the others, for the communions and 
other practices of heartfelt piety and 
charity, offered by families in union with 
the Victim of our redemption. 

We should, every one of us, remem- 
ber the words of Ecclesiasticus, — and 
bethink us when we assist at a funeral 
service, or at a Eequiem Mass, — that 
from the lips of the corpse, or from his 
grave, the dread words come to ourselves 
as a warning: "Eemember my judg- 
ment : for thine also shall be so : Yes- 
terday for me, and to-day for thee" 



222 MASS FOR THE DEAD. 

(xxxyiii. 23). Our "to-day" is nearer 
than we think. "Thy own friend, 
and thy father's friend forsake not," 
" Whose soul is according to thine own 
soul : and who, when thou shalt stum- 
ble in the dark, will be sorry for thee?" 

Alas ! we stumble and fall continually 
in the path of righteousness, and need 
that those whose souls we have loved as 
our own and succored in their need, 
should not forget us when they have 
come to the land of the living and en- 
tered into the light which knoweth no 
darkness. The mercy we show shall be 
repaid to us in full and overflowing 
measure. 



Wtot x$ imtUar to %Xmt# ft* 



INTROIT. 



T) EQUIEM aeternam 
dona eis, Domine ; 
et lux perpetua luceat 
eis. 

Ps. lxiv. Te decet 
hymnus, Deus, in 
Sion : et tibi reddetur 
votum in Jerusalem. 
Exaudi orationem me- 
am : ad te omnis caro 
veniet. 



ETERNAL rest give 
to them, O Lord ; 
and let perpetual light 
shine upon them. 

Ps. lxiv. A hymn, 
0 God, becometh thee: 
and a vow shall be 
paid to thee in Jerusa- 
lem. Oh,, hear my 
prayer : all flesh shall 
come to thee. 



COLLECT FOR THE DAY OF DECEASE AND OF 
BURIAL. 



D 



EUS, cui proprium 



o 



per et parcere, te sup- 
plices exoramus pro 
anima famuli tui N., 
quam hodie de hoc sse- 
culo migrare jussisti : 
ut non tradas earn in 
manus inimici, neque 



GOD, whose na- 
ture it is ever to 
be merciful and to for- 
give, we humbly be- 
seech thee in behalf 
of the soul of thy ser- 
vant N., which thou 
hast this day bidden 
to depart from this 
223 



224 



MASS FOB THE DEAD. 



obliviscaris in finem, life : that thou deliver 

sed jubeas eam a sane- it not into the hands 

tis angelis suscipi, et of the enemy, nor for- 

ad patriam paradisi get it forevermore, 

perduci ; ut, quia in "but that thou do com- 

te speravit et credi- mand it to be taken in 

dit, non pcenas inf erni charge by thy holy 

sustineat, sed gaudia angels and by them be 

seterna possideat. Per conducted to its native 

Dominum nostrum Je- home in paradise ; so 

sum Christum Filium that having hoped and 

tuum, qui tecum vivit believed in thee, it 

et regnat in unite shall not endure the 

Spiritus Sancti, Deus pains of hell, but en- 

per omnia saecula sae- ter into possession 

culorum. Amen. of the eternal joys. 



dormientibus, ut non brethren, concerning 



Through our Lord 
Jesus Christ, who 
with thee and the 
Holy Ghost, liveth 
and reigneth one Gfod 
world without end. 
Amen. 



EPISTLE (1 THESSALONIANS TV.). 




MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



225 



contristemini, sicut et 
caeteri, qui spem non 
liabent. Si enim cre- 
dimus quod Jesus 
mortuus est, et resur- 
rexit : ita et Deus eos, 
qui dormierunt per 
Jesum, adducet cum 
eo. Hoc enim vobis 
dicimus in verbo Do- 
mini, quia nos, qui 
vivimus, qui residui 
sumus in adventum 
Domini, non praeveni- 
emus eos qui dormi- 
erunt. Quoniam ipse 
Dominus in jussu et 
in voce Archangeli, et 
in tuba Dei descendet 
de coelo : et mortui 
qui in Christo sunt, 
resurgent primi. De- 
inde nos, qui vivimus, 
qui relinquimur, si- 
mul -rapiemur cum 
illis in nubibus obvi- 
am Christo in aera, et 
sic semper cum Domi- 
15 



them that are asleep, 
that you be not sor- 
rowful, even as others 
who have no hope. 
For, if we believe that 
Jesus died and rose 
again : even so them 
who have slept thro' 
Jesus, will God bring 
with him. For this 
we say unto you in 
the word of the Lord, 
that we who are alive, 
who remain unto 
the coming of the 
Lord, shall not pre- 
vent [i. e.y shall not 
rise before] them, 
who have slept [be- 
fore us]. For, the 
Lord himself shall 
come down from hea- 
ven with command- 
ment, and with the 
voice of an Archangel, 
and with the trumpet 
of God : and the dead 
who are in Christ 



226 MASS FOR THE DEAD. 

no erimus. Itaque shall rise first. Then 
consolamini invicem we who are alive who 
in verbis istis. are left, shall be taken 

up together with them 
in the clouds to meet 
Christ, into the air, 
and so shall we be al- 
ways with the Lord. 
Wherefore comfort ye 
one another with these 
words. 

GRADUAL. 

T) EQUIEM a?ternani "PTERXAL rest give 
dona eis, Domine : to them, O Lord : 
et lux perpetua luceat and let perpetual light 
eis. shine upon them. 

Ps. cxi. In memo- Ps. cxi. The just 
ria seterna erit jus- shall be in everlasting 
tus : ab auditione ma- remembrance : he shall 
la non timebit. not fear the evil hear- 

ing. 

TRACT. 

A BSOLVE, Domine, DELEASE, 0 Lord, 
animas omnium ^ the souls of all the 
fidelium defunctorum faithful departed from 
ab omni vinculo delic- all bond of their sins. 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



227 



torum. Et gratia tua 
illis succurrente, me- 
reantur evadere judi- 
cium ultionis. Et lu- 
cis aeternse beatitudine 
perfrui. 



And by the assistance 
of thy grace, may they 
merit to escape the 
avenging judgment. 
And to enjoy the 
blessedness of eternal 
light. 



SEQUENCE. 

TyES me, dies ilia, 

U Solvet saeclum in favilla, 

Teste David cum Sibylla. 

Quantus tremor est futurus, 
Quando Judex est venturus, 
Cuncta stricte discussurus ! 

Tuba mirum spargens sonum 
Per sepulcra regionum 
Coget omnes ante thronum- 

Mors stupebit, et natura, 
Cum resurget creatura, 
Judicanti responsura. 

Liber scriptus proferetur, 
In quo totum continetur, 
Unde mundus judicetur. 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



Judex ergo cum sedebit, 
Quidquid latet, apparebit, 
Nil inultum remanebit. 

Quid sum miser tunc dicturus ? 
Quern patronum rogaturus, 
Cum vix justus sit seclirus? 

Eex tremendae majestatis ! 
Qui salvandos salvas gratis, 
Salva me, fons pietatis. 

Recordare, Jesu pie ! 
Quod sum causa tuae viae, 
Ne me perdas ilia die. 

Quaerens me, sedisti lassus : 
Redemisti crucem passus : 
Tantus labor non sit cassus. 

Juste judex ultionis ! 
Donum fac remissionis, 
Ante diem rationis. 

Ingemisco tanquam reus : 
Culpa rubet vultus meus : 
Supplicanti parce Deus. 

Qui Mariam absolvisti, 
Et latronem exaudisti, 
Mihi quoque spem dedisti 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



229 



Preces mese non sunt dignse : 
Sed tu bonus fac benigne 
Ne perenni cremer igne. 

Inter oves locum prsesta, 
Et ab haedis me sequestra, 
Statuens in parte dextra, 

Confutatis maledictis, 
Flam mis acribus addictis, 
Voca me cum benedictis. 

Oro supplex et acclmis, 
Cor contritum quasi cinis, 
Gere curam mei finis. 

.Lacrvmosa dies ilia 
Qua resurget ex favilla 
Judicandus liomo reus. 

Huic ergo parce Deus, 

Pie Jesu Domine ! 

Dona eis requiem. Amen. 

The same in English. 
O day of wrath ! 0 dreadful day 
Which must our orb in ashes lay, 
As David and the Sibyl say. 

What fear shall seize all Adam's race, 
When gleam the lightnings of his face 
Who comes our souls' dark ways to trace I 



230 MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



From pole to pole the trumpet's tone 
Stirs ocean's depths, rends sculptured stone, 
And bids all flesh before the Throne. 

Affrighted Death sees nature quaking ; 
Lo ! from the dust the dead are waking 
And round the Judge their places taking. 

The mighty Book is now brought forth 

Recording all the deeds of earth 

E'en from the hour that gave man birth. 

The Judge ascends his awful throne ; 
All hidden sins are there made known, 
For all must sinners now atone. 

Woe's me ! how shall I cloak my offense ? 
What friend dare plead in my defense 
When 'neath that eye quails innocence ? 

Spare me, dread Majesty of heaven, 
Whose saving grace is freely given ; 
For me thy heart in death was riven ! 

Sweet Jesus ! oh ! remember how 
For my soul's sake thou stoopedst low ; 
Child of thy blood, me curse not now ! 

Thou soughtest me footsore and worn, 
For me thou diedst reviled, forlorn ; 
Save me : thy cross for me was borne ! 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 231 

O justice, I confess thy right : 
But to forgive is Godlike might ; 
Forgive, ere comes the eternal night. 

My soul's deep wounds I here lay bare ; 
Nor grief, nor shame must thou me spare : 
Only, let me thy pity share. 

Thou badst Mary forgiven rise ; 
To dying thief openedst the skies ; 
Let mercy's beam shine on mine eyes ! 

Though undeserved the boon I crave, 
Toward me thy righteous vengeance waive; 
My Saviour, me from Hell's fire save ! 

From yonder fiends' touch, oh ! spare me ! 
Among thy chosen flock, oh ! bear me ! 
From thy dear side let naught e'er tear me ! 

When the accursed have met their doom, 
And sealed for aye their flaming tomb, 
With the blessed, call me to thy home. 

At thy pierced feet I fall in prayer ; 

One wish my breaking heart gasps there : 

Of my last hour have thou the care ! 

Oh ! tearful shall be that last day 
When, rising from his native clay, 



232 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



Man must with God in judgment stand. 
Then save the work of thy heart and hand. 
O Lord, O Jesu, sweetest, tenderest, 
To thy redeemed grant perfect rest ! Amen. 

GOSPEL (ST. JOHN XI.). 

T N illo tempore : Dix- MARTHA, therefore, 

J- it Martha ad Jesum: ^ said to Jesus: 

Domine, si fuisses hie, Lord, if thou hadst 

frater meus non fuis- been here my brother 

set mortuus ; sed et had not died : but now 

nunc scio quia quae- I know that whatso- 

cumque poposceris a ever thou wilt ask of 

Deo, dabit tibi Deus. God, God will give it 

Dicit illi Jesus : Re- thee. Jesus saith to 

surget frater tuus. her: Thy brother shall 

Dicit ei Martha: scio rise again. Martha 

quia resurget in resur- saith to him : I know 

rectione in novissimo that he shall rise again 

die. Dicit ei Jesus : in the resurrection at 

Ego sum resurrectio the last day. Jesus 

et vita : qui credit in said to her : I am the 

me, etiamsi mortuis resurrection and the 

fuerit, vivet : etomnis life : he that believeth 

qui vivit et credit in in me, although he be 

me, non morietur in dead, shall live: and 

seternam. Credis hoc ? every one that liveth, 

Ait illi : Utique, Do- and believeth in me j 

mine, ego credidi quia shall not die forever. 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



233 



til es Christus Films 
Dei vivi, qui in hunc 
mundum venisti. 



Believest thou this ? 
She saith to him : Yea, 
Lord, I have believed 
that thou art Christ 
the Son of the living 
God, who art come 
into this world. 



OFFERTORY. 



TvOMINE Jesu Chris- 
U te, Rex glorise, lib- 
era animas omnium 
fidelium defunctorum 
de pcenis inferni et de 
profundo lacu : libera 
eas de ore leonis, ne 
absorbeat eas tartarus, 
ne cadant in obscu- 
rum : sed signifer 
Sanctus Michael re- 
praesentet eas in lu- 
cem sanctam, quam 
olim Abraham promi- 
sisti et semini ejus. 



Hostias et preces 
tibi, Domine, laudis 



T ORD Jesus Christ, 
^ King of glory, de- 
liver the souls of all 
the faithful departed 
from the pains of hell, 
and from the deep pit : 
deliver them from the 
lion's mouth, lest hell 
swallow them up, lest 
they fall into dark- 
ness : and let thy 
standard - bearer, St. 
Michael, bring them 
into the holy light, 
which thou didst of 
old promise to Abra- 
ham and to his seed. 

We offer thee, 0 
Lord, a sacrifice of 



234 MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



offerimus : tu suscipe praise and prayers : 

pro animabus illis, accept them in behalf 

quarum hodie mem- of the souls which 

oriam facimus : fac we this day recall to 

eas, Domine, de mor- mind ; and make them 

te transire ad vitam. pass, 0 Lord, from 

Quam olim Abrahaa death to the Life 

promisisti et semini which thou of old 

ejus. didst promise to Abra- 
ham and to his seed. 

SECKET. 

BE merciful, we beseech thee, 0 Lord, 
to the soul of thy servant JV., in 
whose behalf we immolate to thee the 
Victim of praise, entreating thy Majes- 
ty most humbly, that by means of these 
dutiful efforts of our piety, it may at- 
tain to everlasting rest. Through Jesus 
Christ our Lord, etc. 



ET eternal light shine upon them, 0 



U Lord, in the company of thy saints 
for evermore : because thou art loving 
and merciful. Eternal rest grant to 
them, 0 Lord ; and let perpetual light 



COMMUNION. 




MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



235 



shine upon them. In the company of 
thy saints for evermore : because thou 
art loving and merciful. 

POST COMMUNION. 

PR^STA, quaesu- 
mus, omnipotens 
Deus, ut anima famuli 
tui _ZV., quae hodie de 
hoc saeculo migravit, 
his sacrifices purgata, 
et a peccatis expedita, 
indulgentiam pariter 
et requiem capiat sem- 
pitemain. Per Domi- 
num. 



On the Third, the Seventh, and the Thirti- 
eth day after the death of the departed, the 
Mass is said as above, with the exception of 
the Prayers, which are as follows : 

COLLECT. 

QTL2ESUMUS, Domi- WE beseech thee, O 
ne, ut animae * ' Lord, in behalf of 
famuli tui iV., cujus the soul of thy servant 
depositionis diem (ter- JV., the Third (or 



GRANT, we beseech 
thee, O Almighty 
Grod, that the soul of 
thy servant JSf., which 
departed from this 
life to-day, being puri- 
fied by this sacrifice, 
and released from its 
sins, may receive from 
thy indulgence par- 
don as well as eternal 
rest. Though our 
Lord Jesus Christ, etc. 



236 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



tium vel septimum vel Seventh, or Thirtieth) 
trigesinium) commem- day after whose de- 
oramus, sanctorum cease we now make 
atque electorum tuo- mind of ; that thou 
rum largiri digneris grant it to enter the 
consortium : et rorem company of thy saints 
misericordfee tuae per- and elect ; and that 
ennem infundas. Per thou do pour on it the 
Dominum. everlasting dew of thy 

mercy. Through our 
Lord Jesus Christ, etc. 

SECRET. 

1 TUNER A, quaesu- T OOK down propiti- 
"± mus, Domine, quae ^ ously, we beseech 
tibi pro anima famuli thee, O Lord, on these 
tui jy. offerimus, pla- gifts which we offer 
catus intende : ut re- thee in behalf of the 
mediis purgata cosies- soul of thy servant JST. 
tibus, in tua pietate in order that cleansed 
requiescat. Per Domi- from all stain by this 
num. heavenly medicine, it 

may rest forever in 
the bosom of thy 
mercy. Through, etc. 

POST COMMUNION. 

OUSCIPE, Domine, ACCEPT, 0 Lord, 
^ preces nostras pro our prayers in be- 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



237 



aiiima famuli tui ]¥., 
ut, si quae ei maculae 
de terrenis contagiis 
adhseserunt, remis- 
sionis tuae misericor- 
dia deleantur. Per 
Dominum. 



half of the soul of 
thy servant 1T. 9 and 
if it still retains any 
taints of guilt from its 
contact with earthly 
things, do thou in 
thy merciful clemen- 
cy blot them out. 
Through, etc. 



OB, 



"YEAE'S MIND" FOE THE DEAD. 
"TTPOIf the eve of this anniversary, 



U the bell-man of the town went 
all about that neighborhood, ringing 
his hand-bell at the head of every street 
and lane : in a country parish this was 
done by the sexton, before the cross at 
the Tillage end, upon the green, and at 
those quarters of the hamlet where the 
cottages stood closer thronged. Whilst 
giving out, in a slow sort of mournful 
chant, the deceased individual's name, 
this lowly official asked all who were 
listening to say a short prayer to God, 
beseeching mercy on the soul of him or 
her whose year's mind he was then pro- 
claiming, and for whom Placebo or 
even-song [placebo is the first antiphon 
of the Vespers for the Dead), and Di- 




238 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



239 



rige, or matins and lauds would be sung 
that afternoon at church, with a Mass 
of Requiem on the morrow, to be fol- 
lowed by a dole to the poor." {Church 
of our Fathers.) 

The grave, meanwhile, was shrouded 
with a funeral pall or hearse-cloth, and 
wax-tapers, more or less in number, were 
set lighted all about it. 

During the anniversary Mass, a hearse 
was placed before the altar covered with 
a funeral pall and surrounded with 
lighted candles. This represented the 
corpse. When the grave or tomb was 
within the church, or in the adjoining 
cemetery, the pall and candles were 
placed over it during Mass, and the ab- 
solution was there pronounced at the 
end of the service. 

This explains what may appear an- 
omalous or unmeaning in the practice of 
Catholics in non-Catholic countries. 

The relatives and friends of the de- 
ceased, always, and frequently the office- 



240 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



holders of the town, made it their duty 
to attend these solemn services. All of 
them made their offering of money at 
the Mass, for the good of the departed 
soul. After the service, a dole of money 
or of food, very often of both, was dis- 
tributed among the poor ; and the 
friends and strangers attending the an- 
niversary partook of a repast with the 
family of the deceased. 

THE ANNIVERSARY MASS. 

Collect. 

DEUS, indulge n- A GOD, and most in- 

tiarum Domine, da ^ dulgent Lord, grant 

annua? famuli tui to the soul of thy ser- 

(f aniulae tuae) c u j u s vant (thy handmaid) 

anniversarium deposi- the yearly memory of 

tionis diem commem- whose decease we cele- 

oramus, refrigerii brate to-day, the abode 

sedem, quietis beati- of heavenly refresh- 

tudinem, et luminis ment, the bliss of its 

claritatem. Per Domi- repose, and the bright- 

num ness of its light. 

Through our Lord, etc. 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



241 



Epistle (2 Machabees xii. 43, 44, 45, 46). 
Gospel (St. John vi. 37, 38, 39, 40). 

TN illo tempore: i LL that the Father 



Judgeorum : O m n e come to me ; and him 
quod dat mihi Pater, that cometh to me, I 
ad me veniet: et will not cast out. Be- 
eum qui venit ad me, cause I came down 
non ejiciam foras: quia from heaven not to do, 
descendi de ccelo, non my own will, but the 
ut faciam voluntatem will of Him that sent 
meam, sed voluntatem me. Now this is the 
ejus qui misit me. will of the Father, 
Haec est autem volun- who sent me ; that of 
tatem ejus qui misit all that he hath given 
me, Patris ; ut omne me, I should lose no- 
quod dedit mihi, non thing, but should raise 
perdam ex eo, sed re- it up again in the last 
suscitem illud in no- day. And this is the 
vissimo die. Heec est will of my Father that 
autem voluntas Patris sent me ; that every 
mei, qui misit me : ut one who seeth the Son, 
omnis qui videt Fili- and believeth in him, 
um, et credit in eum, may have life ever- 
habeat vitam aeternam ; lasting, and I will raise 
et ego resuscitabo eum him up in the last day. 
in novissimo die. 



Dixit Jesus 




me shall 



16 



242 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



SECRET. 

DROPITIARE, Dom- GRACIOUSLY hear, 
ine, supplicationi- ™ 0 Lord, these our 
bus nostris, pro anima prayers in behalf of 



famuli tui (famuli 
tuae), cujus hodie anni- 
versaria dies agitur ; 
pro qua tibi offerimus 
sacrificiurn laudis: ut 
e a m sanctorum tuo- 
rum consortio sociare 
digneris. Per Domi- 
num. 



pRiESTA, queesu- 
mus, D o m i n e, ut 
anima famuli tui (fam- 
uise tuae) cujus anni- 
versarium depositionis 
diem commemoramus, 
his purgata sacrificiis, 
indulgentiam pariter 
et requiem capiat sem- 
piternam. Per Domi- 
num. 



the soul of thy ser- 
vant (handmaid) 
whose anniversary we 
are celebrating, and 
for whom we o ff e r 
thee this sacrifice of 
praise, that thou 
mayest vouchsafe to 
unite it to the com- 
pany of thy saints. 
Through our Lord, etc. 

POST COMMUNION. 

GRANT, we beseech 
thee, 0 Lord, that 
the soul of thy ser- 
vant (handmaid) the 
anniversary of whose 
decease we are calling 
to mind, may be so 
cleansed from stain by 
this sacrifice as to re- 
ceive both forgiveness 
and eternal repose. 
Through our Lord, etc. 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



243 



THE COMMEMORATION OR SOLEMN MIND OF 
ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED (ALL 
SOULS' DAY). 

Collect. 



"PIDELIUM, Deus, 
omnium Conditor et 
Redemptor, animabus 
famulorum famula- 
rumque tuarum remis- 
sionem canctorum tri- 
bue peccatorum : ut 
indulgentiam q u a m 
semper optaveruntpiis 
supplicationibus con- 
sequantur. Per Domi- 
num. 



A GOD, the Creator 
^ and Redeemer of all 
the faithful, grant to 
the souls of thy ser- 
vants and handmaids 
departed the remission 
of all their sins : that 
by these our pious sup- 
plications, they may 
obtain the pardon 
which they have al- 
ways earnestly desired. 
Through Jesus Christ 
our Lord, etc. 



Epistle (1 Corinthians xv. 51 et seq.). 

pATRES: Ecce 
mysterium vobis 



BEHOLD, I tell you 



dico : Omnes quidem 
resurgemus, sed non 
omnes immutabimur. 
In momento, in ictu 
oculi, in novissima 



a mystery : 
shall all indeed rise 
again, but we shall 
not all be changed. In 
a moment, in the 
twinkling of an eye, 



244 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



tuba : canet enim tu- 
ba, et mortui resur- 
gent incorrupti : et 
nos immutabimur. 
Oportet enim corrup- 
tibile hoc induere in- 
corruptionem, et mor- 
tal e hoc induere im- 
mortalitatem. Cum 
autem mortale hoc in- 
d u e r i t immortalita- 
tem, tunc net sermo 
qui scriptus est: Ab- 
sorpta est mors in vic- 
toria. Ubi est, mors, 
victoria tua? Ubi est 
mors stimulus tuus? 
Stimulus autem mor- 
tis peccatum est : vir- 
tus vero peccati, lex. 
Deo autem gratias, qui 
dedit nobis victoriam 
per Dominum Jesum 
Christum. 



at the last trumpet : 
for the trumpet shall 
sound, and the dead 
shall rise again incor- 
ruptible: and we shall 
be changed. For this 
corruptible must put 
on incorruption ; and 
this mortal must pat 
on immortality. And 
when this mortal hath 
put on immortality , 
then shall come to 
pass the saying that 
is written : Death is 
swallowed up in vic- 
tory. 0 death, ichere 
is thy victory? 0 
death, where is thy 
sting f Now the sting 
of death is sin, and 
the strength of sin [is] 
the law. But thanks 
be to God who hath 
given us the victory 
through our Lord 
Jesus Christ. 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



245 



GOSPEL (ST. 

TN illo tempore : Dix- 
it Jesus turbis Ju- 
daeorum : Amen, amen 
dico vobis, quia venit 
bora, et nunc est, 
quando mortui audi- 
ent yog em Filii Dei : 
et qui audierint, vi- 
vent. Sicut enim Pa- 
ter babet vitam in 
semetipso. sic dedit et 
Filio habere Yitam in 
semetipso : et potesta- 
tem dedit ei judicium 
facere, quia Filius 
hominis est. Nolite 
mirari hoc quia Yenit 
hora in qua omnes qui 
in monumentis sunt, 
audient vocem Fjlii 
Dei : et procedent, 
qui bona fecerunt, in 
resurrectionem vita? : 
qui Yero mala egerunt 
in resurrectionem ju- 
dicii. 



JOHN V.). 

A MEX, amen I say 
unto you, that the 
hour cometh, and now 
is, when the dead shall 
hear the Yoice of the 
Son of God : and they 
that hear shall live. 
For as the Father hath 
life in himself, so he 
hath given to the Son 
also to haYe life in 
himself : and he hath 
given him power to do 
judgment, because he 
is the Son of man. 
Wonder not at this, 
for the hour cometh 
wherein all that are in 
the graves shall hear 
the voice of the Son 
of God : and they that 
have done good things 
shall come forth unto 
the resurrection of 
life ; but they that 
have done evil, unto 
the resurrection of 
judgment. 



246 



MASS FOK THE DEAD. 



SECKET. 



rjOSTIAS, queasu- 
mus, Domine, 
quas tibi pro animabus 
famulorum famula- 
rumque tuarum offeri- 
mus, propitiatus in- 
tende : ut quibus fidei 
Christ ianse merit um 
contulisti, dones et 
prsemium. Per Dom- 
inum. 



T OOK down in thy 



mercy, we beseech 



thee, 0 Lord, on these 
sacrificial offerings we 
present to thee in be- 
half of the souls of 
thy servants and hand- 
maids ; that after hav- 
ing bestowed on them 
the merit of Christian 
faith, thou do now 
grant them its reward. 
Through Jesus Christ, 
etc. 



POST COMMUNION. 



A NIMABUS, qusesu- 
mus, Domine, fa- 
mulorum famularum- 
que tuarum oratio pro- 
ficiat supplicantium : 
ut eas et a peccatis 
omnibus exuas, et tuae 
redemptionis facias 
esse participes. Qui 
vivis et reguas. 



T ET our humble sup- 
■AJ plications, we be- 
seech thee, O Lord, be 
of avail to the souls of 
thy servants and hand- 
maids, so that thou do 
deliver them from all 
sins, and enable them 
to become the partak- 
ers of thy redemption. 
Who livest and reign - 
est, etc. 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 247 

In harmony with the custom of the full 
Month's Mind of the dead, as explained above, 
the Roman Missal has, beside the Mass spe- 
cially appointed to be said on the third, the 
seventh and the thirtieth day, a less solemn re- 
quiem Mass to be celebrated on the interven- 
ing days of the month. This is called the 
missa quotidiana or "every day Mass," and 
may be found in English in the Layman's 
Missal. The Collects are three in number in- 
stead of only one before the Epistle, the Pre- 
face, and after the Communion. They are 
for deceased bishops or priests, — for deceased 
brethren, kinsfolk, and benefactors, — and for 
all the faithful departed. The Sequence Dies 
Irce may be omitted, and the Epistle and Gos- 
pel are special to the Mass itself. 



FU^EEAL SERVICE. 

IX the case of adult persons deceased, 
the funeral service properly so called, 
and as the Church intends it in its com- 
pleteness, should include the Mass for 
the dead. The divine sacrifice on such 
occasions, as in the celebration of mar- 
riage, should be the very center and 
heart of the office : the other ceremo- 
nies and prayers have their complete fit- 
ness and full significance only in the 



248 FUNEKAL SERVICE. 

oblation of the Diyine Victim for the 
dead as well as for the living. 

Where the clergy accompany the 
corpse in solemn procession from the 
residence of the deceased to the Church, 
(as is done in Lower Canada and all 
Catholic countries), the following are 
the ceremonies and prayers in their due 
order. 

LN" THE HOUSE. 

WHEN" the officiating priest has ar- 
rived in the house, he sprinkles 
the corpse with holy water, and then 
recites alternately with his assistant the 
following : 

ANTIPHON. 

01 iniquitates obser- TF thou, 0 Lord, wilt 
M vaveris, Doinine : mark iniquities : 
Domine, quis sustine- Lord, who will stand ? 
bit? 

PSALM CXXIX. 

TvE profundi s clama- AUT of the depths I 

U vi ad te, Domine : ^ have cried to thee, 

Domine, exaudi vocem O Lord: Lord, hear my 

meam. voice. 



BURIAL SERVICE. 



249 



Fiant aures tuse in- 
tendentes, * in vocem 
deprecationis mea?. 

Si iniquitates ob- 
servaveris, Domine : 
* Domine, quis susti- 
nebit ? 

Quia apud te propi- 
tiatio est : * et propter 
legem tuam sustinui 
te, Domine. 

Sustinuit anima mea 
in verbo ejus : * spe- 
ravit anima mea in 
Domino. 

A custodia matutina 
usque ad noctem : 
*speret Israel in Do- 
mino. 

Quia apud Dominum 
misericordia : * et co- 
piosa apud eum re- 
demptio. 

Et ipse redimet Is- 
rael, * ex "omnibus in- 
iquitatibus ejus. 



Let thy ears be at- 
tentive to the voice of 
my supplication. 

If thou, O Lord, 
wilt mark iniquities : 
Lord, who will stand ? 

For with thee there 
is merciful forgive- 
ness : and by reason 
of thy law I have 
waited for thee, 0 
Lord. 

My soul hath relied 
on his word : my soul 
hath hoped in the 
Lord. 

From the morning 
watch even until 
night : let Israel hope 
in the Lord. 

Because with the 
Lord there is mercy : 
and with him plenti- 
ful redemption. 

And he shall redeem 
Israel from all his in- 
iquities. 



250 



CEREAL SERVICE. 



Requiem reternani 
* dona ei Doming 

Et lux perpetua 
*luceat ei. 

Ant. Si iniquitates 
observaveris, Doinine: 
- Domine, quis susti- 
nebit ? 



Eternal rest give 
unto liini (or her), 0 
Lord. 

And let a perpetual 
light shine upon him. 

Ant. If thou, 0 
Lord, wilt mark in- 
iquities, Lord, who 
shall stand '? 



EST GOEXG TO THE CHURCH. THE PRIEST SAYS : 

Ant. Exult abunt Domino ossa humiliata. 



PSALMUS 50. 

MISERERE niei, 
Deus : secundum 
magnam misericordi- 
am tuam. 

Et secundum multi- 
tudinem miserationum 
tuarum : * dele iniqui- 
tatem meam. 

Amplius lava me ab 



p sal at 50. 



TT AYE mercy on me, 
0 God, according 



to th 



y great merer. 



And according to the 
multitude of thy ten- 
der mercies, blot out 
my iniquities. 

Wash me yet more 
iniquitate mea ; - et a from my iniquity : and 
peccato meo niunda cleanse me from my 
me. sin. 

Quoniam iniquitatem For I know my in- 
meam ego cognosco : iquity, and my sin is 
* et peccatum meum always before me. 
contra me est semper. 



BUBIAL SERVICE. 



251 



Tibi soli peccavi, et 
malum coram te feci : 
* ut justificeris in ser- 
monibus tuis, et vin- 
cas cum judicaris. 

Ecce enim in iniqui- 
tatibus conceptus 
sum : * et in peccatis 
concepit me mater 
mea. 

Ecce enim veritateni 
dilexisti : *incerta et 
occulta sapientise tuae 
manif estasti mihi. 



Asperges me hysso- 
po et mundabor : * la- 
vabis me et super ni- 
vem dealbabor. 



Auditui meo dabis 
gaudium et laetitiam : 
-et exuitabunt ossa 
huniiliata. 



To tliee only have I 
sinned, and have done 
evil before thee : that 
thou may est be justi- 
fied in thy words, and 
m a y e s t overcome 
when thou art judged. 

For behold I was 
conceived in iniqui- 
ties ; and in sin did 
my mother conceive 
me. 

For behold thou hast 
loved truth : the un- 
certain and hidden 
things of thy wisdom 
thou hast made mani- 
fest to me. 

Thou shalt sprinkle 
me with hyssop, and 
I shall be cleansed ; 
thou shalt wash me, 
and I shall be made 
whiter than snow. 

To my hearing thou 
shalt give joy and 
gladness ; and the 
bones that have been 
humbled shall rejoice. 



252 



BURIAL SERVICE 



Averte faciem tuam 
a peccatis meis : * et 
omnes iniquitates me- 
as dele. 

Cor mundum crea 
in me, Deus : * et 
spiritum rectum inno- 
va in visceribns meis. 

Ne projicias me a 
facie tua : * et spiri- 
tum sanctum tuum ne 
auf eras a me. 

Redde mihi lsetitiam 
salutaris tui : * et spi- 
ritu principali confir- 
ma me. 

Docebo iniquosvias 
tuas : * et impii ad te 
con vert entur. 

Libera me de san- 
guineus, Deus, Deus 
salutis mea? : * et ex- 
ultabit lingua mea jus- 
titiam tuam. 

Domine, labia mea 
aperies : * et os meum 
annuntiabit laudem 
tuam. 



Turn away thy face 
from my sins, and blot 
out all my iniquities. 

Create a clean heart 
in me, O God : and re- 
new a right spirit 
within my bowels. 

Cast me not away 
from thy face ; and 
take not thy holy spirit 
from me. 

Restore unto me the 
joy of thy salvation, 
and strengthen me 
with a perfect spirit. 

I will teach the un- 
just thy ways : and the 
wicked shall be con- 
verted to thee. 

Deliver me from 
blood, O God, thou 
God of my salvation : 
and my tongue shall 
extol thy justice. 

0 Lord, thou wilt 
open my lips : and my 
mouth shall declare 
thy praise. 



BURIAL SERVICE. 



253 



Quoniani si voluis- 
ses sacrificium, dedis- 
sem utique : *holo- 
caustis non delectabe- 
ris. 

Sacrificiuni Deo spi- 
ritus contribulatus : 

* cor contrituni et hu- 
miliatum, Deus, non 
despicies. 

Benigne fac Domine 
in bona voluntate tua 
Sion : * ut sedificentur 
muri Jerusalem. 

Tunc acceptabis sac- 
rificiuni justitise, obla- 
tiones, et holocausta : 

* tunc imponent super 
altare tuum vitulos. 

Bequiem seternam, 
etc. 

Ant. Exultabunt Do- 
mino ossa liumiliata. 



For if tliou hadst 
desired sacrifice, I 
would indeed have 
given it : with, burnt 
offerings thou wilt not 
be delighted. 

A sacrifice to God is 
an afflicted spirit ; a 
contrite and humbled 
heart, O God, thou 
wilt not despise. 

Deal favorably, 0 
Lord, in thy good will 
with Sion, that the 
walls of Jerusalem 
may be built up. 

Then shalt thou ac- 
cept the sacrifice of 
justice, oblations, and 
whole burnt offerings ; 
then shalt thou lay 
calves upon the altar. 

Eternal rest, etc. 

Ant. The bones that 
have been humbled, 
shall rejoice in the 
Lord. 



254 



BURIAL SERVICE. 



At the entrance of the church, inside, the 
priest says : 



Subvenite S a n c t i 
Dei, occurrite Angeli 
Domini, suscipientes 
aniinani ejus, ofTeren- 
tes earn in conspectu 
Altissimi. 



V. Suscipiat te 
Christus qui vocavit 
te, et in sinuni Abraham 
Angeli deducant te. 



i?. Suscipientes ani- 
mam ejus, efferent es 
earn in conspectu Al- 
tissimi. 

V. Eequiem seter- 
nam dona ei Domine, 
et lux perpetua luceat 
ei. 

Offerentes earn in 
conspectu Altissimi. 



Come to his (her) 
assistance, ye saints 
of God ! meet him 
(her), ye angels of the 
Lord ! to receive his 
(her) soul, and to pre- 
sent it to the Most 
High. 

V. May Christ who 
called thee, receive 
thee ; and may the 
Angels lead thee into 
the bosom of Abra- 
ham. 

B. To receive his 
(her) soul, and present 
it to the Most High. 

V. Eternal rest 
grant to him (her), O 
Lord ! and may per- 
petual light shine up- 
on him (her). 

And to present it to 
the Most High. 



BURIAL SERVICE. 



255 



The corpse having been deposited before 
the sanctuary, the feet turned toward the 
altar if it is a lay person, but the head toward 
the altar if it is a clergyman, and surrounded 
by lighted tapers, the Office of the Dead is 
said, and Mass celebrated. 

At the end of Mass the officiating priest 
lays aside his chasuble and maniple, and is 
vested with a black cope. The sub-deacon 
bearing the cross between two acolytes with 
lighted tapers, places himself at the head of 
the corpse, the other members of the clergy, 
bearing each a lighted taper, surround the 
bier ; while the celebrant with the deacon and 
other assistants genuflects before the altar, 
and places himself at the feet of the corpse 
and opposite to the cross. He then recites the 

TENTER not into 
^ judgment with thy 
servant, 0 Lord ; for 
in thy sight no man 
living shall be justi- 
fied, unless thou do 
grant him the remis- 
sion of all his sins. 
Let not, therefore, we 
beseech thee, thy judi- 
cial doom fall upon 
him whom the sincere 



following prayer : 

\TON intres in judici- 
urn cum servo tuo, 
Domine, quia nullus 
apud te justiflcabitur 
homo, nisi per te om- 
nium peccatorum tri- 
buatur remissio. Kon 
ergo eum, qusesumus, 
tua judicialis sententia 
premat, quern tibi ve- 
ra supplicatio fidei 
Christianae commen- 



256 



BTTHIALi SERVICE. 



dat ; sed gratia tua prayer of Christian 

illi succurrente, me- faith recommendeth. 

reatur evadere judici- to thee ; but let thy 

um ultionis, qui duin grace succor him in 

viveret, insignitus est his need, that so he 

signaculo Sanctee Tri- may deserve to escape 

nitatis : qui vivis et thy avenging judg- 

regnas in ssecula sae- ment, after having 

culorum. Amen, borne in his life-time 



ne, de morte seter- ^ Lord, from the 
na, in die ilia tremen- eternal death, on that 
da. Quando cceli mo- dreadful day. When 
vendi sunt et terra : the heavens shall be 
Dum veneris judicare moved as well as the 
sseculum per ignem. earth : the while thou 
art about to come to 
judge the world by 
fire. 

Tremens f actus sum Terror hath come up- 
et timeo, dum discus- on me, and I am filled 



the seal of the Holy 
Trinity. Who livest 
and r eigne st world 
without end. Amen. 



THE CHOER, 




ELIYER me, 0 



BUHIAL SERVICE. 



257 



with, fear, as that 
great trial is approach- 
ing and the ensuing 
wrath. 

When the heavens 
shall be moved as well 
as the earth. 

A day of wrath and 
woe and dire distress 
shall be that day ; a 
great day and bitter 
exceedingly. 

The while thou art 
coming to judge the 
world by fire. 

Eternal rest give to 
them, 0 Lord : and let 
perpetual light shine 
upon them. 

Deliver me, 0 Lord, 
from the eternal 
death, on that dread- 
ful day when the hea- 
vens shall be moved 
as well as the earth. 

Then the Priest says : 
Y. Kyrie eleison. V. Lord, have 

mercy on us. 

17 



sio venerit, atque ven 
tura ira. 



Quando cceli moven- 
di sunt et terra. 

Dies ilia, dies irae, 
calamitatis et miseriae; 
dies magna et amara 
valde. 

Dum veneris judi- 
care sseculum per ig- 
nem. 

Requiem seternam 
dona eis, Domine : et 
lux perpetua luceat 
eis. 

Libera me, Domine, 
de morte aeterna, in 
die ilia tremenda, 
quando coeli movendi 
sunt et terra. 



258 



BURIAL SERVICE. 



B. Christe eleison. B. Christ, have 
mercy on us. 

V. Kyrie eleison. V. Lord, have 

mercy on us. 

Pater noster. Our Father. 

The celebrant and the congregation con- 
tinue the prayer in silence : meanwhile the 
former sprinkles the corpse with holy water 
— emblematic of Christ's refreshing and cleans- 
ing grace — and then incenses it — the incense 
representing the prayers of the Church united 
to the intercession of Christ. He then conti- 
nues the Lord's Praver aloud. 



V. Et ne nos indu- 
cas in tentationem. 

B. Sed libera nos a 
malo. 

V. A porta inferi. 

B. Erne, Domine, 
animam ejus. 

V. Requiescat in 
pace. 

B. Amen. 

V. Domine, exaudi 
orationem me am. 

B. Et clamor meus 
ad te veniat. 

V. Dominus vobis- 
cum. 



V. And lead us not 
into temptation. 

B. But deliver us 
from evil. 

V. From the gate of 
hell. 

B. Deliver his (her) 
soul, O Lord. 

V. Let him (her) 
rest in peace. 

B. Amen. 

V. 0 Lord, hear my 
prayer. 

B. And let my cry 
come to thee. 

V. The Lord be with 
you. 



BURIAL SERVICE. 



259 



B. Et euro, spiritu 
tuo. 

OEEMUS. 

DEUS, cui propriuni 
est misereri sem- 
per et parcere, te sup- 
plices exoramus pro 
anirna famuli tui N., 
quam hodie de hoc 
sseculo migrare jussis- 
ti : ut non tradas earn 
in manus inimici, ne- 
que obliviscaris in 
finem, sed jubeas earn 
a Sanctis Angelis sus- 
cipi et ad patriam par- 
adisi perduci ; ut quia 
in te speravit et credi- 
dit, non poenas inferni 
sustineat, sed gaudia 
seterna possideat. Per 
Christum Dominum 
nostrum. 



JR. Amen. 



B. And with thy 
spirit. 

LET TJS PRAY. 

A GOD, whose na- 
^ ture it is to be 
merciful and to for- 
give, we humbly be- 
seech thee in behalf 
of the soul of thy ser- 
vant N., which thou 
<this day didst com- 
mand to quit this life : 
that thou do not give 
it into the hands of the 
enemy, nor forget it 
forever, but command 
it to be taken in charge 
by thy holy Angels, 
and be by them con- 
ducted to its home 
in Paradise ; so that, 
having hoped and be- 
lieved in thee, it shall 
not endure the pains 
of hell, but possess the 
everlasting joys. 
Through Christ our 
Lord. 

R. Amen. 



260 



BURIAL SERVICE. 



Where the clergy accompany the corpse to 
the place of burial, the following is sung, 
when the funeral procession begin to leave the 
church : 



TN paradisum dedu- 
cant te Angeli : in 
tuo adventu suscipi- 
ant te Martyres, et 
perducant te in civita- 
teni sanctam Jerusa- 
lem. 

ChoTus Angelorum 
te suscipiat, et cum 
Lazaro quondam pau- 
pere eeternam habeas 
requiem. 



"IT AT the Angels be 
thy guides to 
Paradise : at thy arri- 
val may the Martyrs 
welcome thee, and 
lead thee to the city of 
the Holy Jerusalem. 

May the choir of 
Angels welcome thee : 
and mayest thou have 
in company with the 
once pauper Lazarus 
rest everlasting. 



Should the grave happen not to be blessed, 
the celebrant blesses it, as follows : 



OREMUS. LET US PRAY. 

TAEUS cujus misera- A GOD, by whose 

U tione animae fide- ^ mercy the souls of 

lium requiescunt, the faithful are at 

hunc tumulum bene- rest, vouchsafe to 

dicere dignare, eique bless this grave, and 

Angelum tuum sane- appoint thy holy 



BURIAL SERVICE. 



261 



turn deputa custodem : Angel to guard it : 

et quorum, quarum- And do thou loose 

que corpora hie sepe- from all bonds of sin 

liuntur, animas eorum the souls of the per- 

ab omnibus absolve sons whose bodies are 

vinculis delictorum, herein buried, that 

ut in te semper cum they may henceforth 

Sanctis tuis sine fine without ceasing re- 

lgetentur. Per Chris- joice in thee with thy 

turn Dominum nos- saints. Through 

trum. Christ our Lord. 

B. Amen. It. Amen. 

The grave is then sprinkled with holy 
water ; after which he incenses both the 
corpse and the grave. 

While the coffin is lowered into the grave, 
the following antiphon and psalm are sung : 

Ego sum resurrectio I am the resurrec- 

et vita : qui credit in tion and the life : he 

me, etiamsi mortuus that believeth in me, 

fuerit, vivet ; et omnis although he be dead, 

qui vivit, et credit in shall live ; and every 

me, non morietur in one that liveth, and 

aeternum. believeth in me, shall 
not die forever. 



262 BURIAL 
CANTICUM ZACHARIiE. 

D ENEDICTUS Dom- 
U inus Dens Israel, 
* quia visitavit, et fecit 
redemptionem plebis 
suae : 

Et erexit cornu salu- 
tis nobis, * in domo 
David pueri sui. 

Sicnt locutus est per 
os sanctorum, * qui a 
sseculo sunt, prophe- 
tarurn ejus. 

Salutem ex inimicis 
nostris, * et de manu 
omnium qui oderunt 
nos. 

Ad faciendam mis- 
ericordiam cum pa- 
tribus nostris : * et 
memorari testamenti 
sui sancti : 

Jusjurandum, quod 
juravit ad Abraham 



SERVICE. 



CASTTTCLE OF ZACHARY. 

T) LESSED be the 
Lord God of Israel, 
because he hath visit, 
ed, and wrought the 
redemption of his peo- 
ple : 

And hath raised up 
an horn of salvation to 
us, in the house of 
David his servant. 

As he spoke by the 
mouth of his holy 
prophets, who are 
from the beginning : 

Salvation from our 
enemies, and from the 
hand of all who hate 
us : 

To perform mercy 
to our fathers, and to 
remember his holy 
testament : 

The oath which he 
swore to Abraham our 



BUHIAL SERVICE. 



263 



patrem nostrum, * da- 
turum se nobis : 

Ut sine timore de 
manu inimicorum nos- 
trorum, liberati, * ser- 
viamus illi, 

In sanctitate et jus- 
titia coram ipso, * om- 
nibus diebus nostris. 

Et tu, puer, prophe- 
ta Altissimi vocaberis : 

* prseibis enim ante f a- 
ciem Domini parare 
vias ejus, 

Ad dandam scienti- 
am salutis plebi ejus : 
*in remissionem pec- 
catorum eorum, 

Per viscera miser- 
icordiae Dei nostri : 

* in quibus visit avib 
laos oriens exalto : 

Illuminare bis, qui 
in tenebris, et in urn- 



father, that lie would 
grant to us : 

That, being deliv- 
ered from the hand of 
our enemies, we may 
serve him without 
fear, 

In holiness and jus- 
tice before him all our 
days. 

And thou, child, 
shalt be called the 
prophet of the High- 
est, for thou shalt go 
before the face of the 
Lord to prepare his 
ways, 

To give knowledge 
of salvation to his peo- 
ple, unto the remission 
of their sins, 

Through the bowels 
of the mercy of our 
God : in which the 
Orient, from on high, 
hath visited us, 

To enlighten them 
that sit in darkness, 



264 



BURIAL SERVICE. 



bra mortis sedent : * ad 
dirigendos pedes nos- 
tros in viani pacis. 

Requiem aeternani. 

Ant. Egosumresur- 
rectio et vita; qui 
credit in me, etiam si 
mortuus fuerit, vivet : 
et omnis, qui vivit, et 
credit in me, non mori- 
etur in seternum. 

Kyrie eleison. 

Christe eleison. 

Kyrie eleison. 

Pater noster, etc. 



and in the shadow of 
death ; to direct our 
feet into the way of 
peace. 

Eternal rest, etc. 

Ant. I am the resur- 
rection and the life ; 
he that believeth in 
me, although he be 
dead, shall live : and 
every one that liveth 
and believeth in me, 
shall not die forever. 

Lord, have mercy on 
us. 

Christ, have mercy 
on us. 

Lord, have mercy 
on us. 

Our Father, etc. 



The priest sprinkles the corpse with holy 



water. 

V. Et ne nos indu- 
cas in tentationem. 

B. Sed libera nos a 
malo. 

V, A porta inferi, 



V. And lead us not 
into temptation. 

B. But deliver us 
from evil. 

V. From the gate of 
hell, 



BURIAL SERVICE. 



265 



B. Erue Domine ani- 
mam ejus. 

V. Requiescat in 
pace. 

B. Amen. 

V. Domine exaudi 
orationem meam, 

B. Et clamor meus 
ad te veniat. 

V. Dominus vobis- 
curn, 

B. Et cum spiritu 
tuo. 

OREMUS. 

T?AC, quaesumus Do- 
4 mine, hanc cum 
servo tuo defuncto (vel 
famula tua defuncta) 
misericordiam, ut fac- 
torum suorum in pce- 
nis non recipiat vicem, 
qui (vel quae) tuani in 
votis tenuit volunta- 
tem; ut sicut hie eum 
(vel earn) vera fides 
junxit fidelium tur- 
mis, ita illic eum (vel 



B. Deliver his (her) 
soul, 0 Lord ! 

V. Let Mm (her) 
rest in peace. 

B. Amen. 

V. 0 Lord ! hear my 
prayer, 

B. And let my cry 
come to thee. 

V. The Lord be with 

you, 

B. And with thy 
spirit. 

LET US PRAY. 

n RANT, 0 Lord, this 
" mercy to thy ser- 
vant departed, that he 
(she) may not receive 
a return of punish- 
ment for his (her) 
deeds, who in desire 
observed thy will: 
that as here true faith 
has joined him (her) 
to the company of thy 
faithful, so thy mercy 
may there associate 



266 



BURIAL OF CHLLDKEN. 



earn) tua miseratio 
societ Angelicis cho- 
ris. Per Christum 
Dominum nostrum. 
R. Amen. 

V. Requiem seter- 
nam dona ei Domine. 

R. Et lux perpetua 
luceat ei. 

V. Requiescat in 
pace. 

R. Amen. 

V. Anima ejus, et 
animse omnium fide- 
lium defunctorum per 
misericordiam Dei re- 
quiescant in pace. 

R. Amen. 

In returning from 
Psalm, with its antiph 



him (her) to the choirs 
of Angels : through 
Christ our Lord. 

R. Amen. 

V. Eternal rest give 
to him (her), 0 Lord ! 

R. And may perpet- 
ual light shine upon 
him (her). 

V. Let him (her) 
rest in peace. 

R. Amen. 

V. May his (her) 
soul and the souls of 
all the faithful depart- 
ed, through the mercy 
of God, rest in peace. 

R. Amen. 

the grave, the 129th 
on, p. 248, is recited. 



BURIAL SERVICE FOR CHILDREN. 

The priest sprinkles the corpse with holy 
water, then says : 

Ant. Sit n o m e n Ant. Blessed be the 
Domini. name. 



BURIAL OF CHILDREN. 267 



PSALMUS 112. 

T AUDATE pueri 
^ Dominnm : * lau- 
date nonien Domini. 

Sit nonien Domini 
benedictum, * ex hoc 
nunc, et usque in 
sseculum. 

A solis ortu usque 
ad occasum, * lauda- 
bile nomen Domini. 



Excelsus super om- 
nes gentes Dominus, 
* et super coelos gioria 
ejus. 

Quis sicut Dominus 
Deus noster, qui in 
altis habitat, * et hu- 
milia respicit in coelo 
et in terra ? 

Suscitans a terra in- 
opem, * et de stercore 
erigens pauperem : 



psalm 112. 

P RAISE the Lord, ye 

children: praise ye 
the name of the Lord* 

Blessed be the name 
of the Lord, from 
henceforth, now, and 
forever. 

From the rising of 
the sun, unto the go- 
ing down of the same, 
the name of the Lord 
is worthy of praise. 

The Lord is high 
above all nations: and 
his glory above the 
heavens. 

Who is the Lord 
our God, who dwelleth 
on high, and looketh 
down on the low 
things in heaven and 
in earth? 

Raising up the 
needy from the earth, 
and lifting up the poor 
out of the dunghill : 



268 



BTJIHAL OF CHILDREN. 



Ut collocet eum cum 
principibus, * cum 
principibus populi sui. 

Qui habitare facit 
sterilem in domo, * 
matrem filiorum lse- 
t ant em. 

Gloria Patri, et Fi- 
lio. 

Ant. Sit n o m e n 
Domini benedictum, 
ex Iloc nunc, et usque 
in sseculum. 



That he may place 
him with princes, 
with the princes of his 
people. 

Who maketh a bar- 
ren woman to dwell in 
a house, the joyful 
mother of children. 

Glory be to the Fa- 
ther, etc. 

Ant. Blessed be the 
name of the Lord : 
from henceforth, now, 
and forever. 



While the corpse is carried to the church, 
the priest says the following : 



psalmus 118. 

T) EATI immaculati 
*M in via : * qui am- 
bulant in lege Domi- 
ni. 

Beat! qui scrutantur 
testimonia ejus : * in 
toto corde exquirunt 
eum. 

Non enim qui ope- 



PSALM 118. 

T)LESSED are the 
■M undefiled in the 
way, who walk in the 
law of the Lord 

Blessed are they 
that search his testi- 
monies : that seek him 
with their whole 
heart. 

For they that work 



BUKIAL OF CHILDREN. 



269 



rantur iniquitatem,* in 
viis ejus ambulave- 
runt. 

Tu mandasti * man- 
data tua cnstodiri ni- 
mis. 

Utinam dirigantur 
vise mese, * ad custo- 
diendas justificationes 
tuas. 

Tunc non confun- 
dar, * cum perspexero 
in omnibus mandatis 
tuis. 

Confitebor tibi in di- 
rectione cordis : * in eo 
quod didici judicia 
justitiae tuse. 

Justificationes tuas 
custodiam : * non me 
derelinquas usquequa- 
que. 

In quo corrigit ado- 
lescentior viam suam ? 
* in custodiendo ser- 
mones tuos. 



iniquity, have not 
walked in his ways. 

Thou hast com- 
manded thy command- 
ments to be kept most 
diligently. 

Oh ! that my ways 
may be directed to 
keep thy justifications. 

Then shall I not be 
confounded, when I 
shall look into all thy 
commandments. 

I will praise thee 
with uprightness of 
heart, when I shall 
have learned the judg- 
ments of thy justice. 

I will keep thy jus- 
tifications : Oh ! do not 
thou utterly forsake 
me. 

By what doth a 
young man correct his 
way ? by observing thy 
words. 



370 



BUBIAL OF CHILDEZIn. 



Iii toto corde ineo 
exquisivi te ;* ne re- 
pellas me a niandatis 
tuis. 

In corde ineo abscon- 
di el o quia tua : * at 
non pecceni tibi. 

Benedictus es, Dora- 
ine : * doce me justifi- 
cationes tuas. 

In labiis meis * pro- 
nuntiavi omnia judicia 
oris tui. 

In via testinionio- 
rum tuorum delectatus 
sum, * sicut in omni- 
bus divitiis. 

In mandatis tuis ex- 
ercebor : 5 et conside- 
rabo vias tuas. 

In justification! bus 
tuis meditabor : * non 
obliviscar sermones 
tuos. 



With my whole 
heart have I sought 
after thee : lei me not 
stray from thy com- 
mandments. 

Thy words have I 
hidden in my heart, 
that I may not sin 
against thee. 

Blessed art thou, 0 
Lord : teach me thy 
justifl cations. 

With my lips I have 
pronounced all the 
judgments of thy 
mouth. 

I have been delight- 
ed in the way of thy 
testimonies, as in all 
riches. 

I will meditate on 
thy commandments : 
and I will consider thy 
ways. 

I will think of thy 
justifications : I will 
not forget thy words. 



BURIAL OF CHILDREN. 



271 



Gloria Patri, etc. 

"DETRIBUE servo 
tuo, vivinca me : * 
et custodiam sermones 
tuos. 

Revela oculos meos: 

* et considerabo niira- 
bilia de lege tua. 

Incola ego sum in 
terra : * non abscondas 
a me mandafca tua. 

Concupivit anima 
mea desiderare justifi- 
cationes tuas, * in om- 
ni tempore. 

Increpasti superbos: 

* maledicti qui decli- 
nant a mandatis tuis. 

Aufer a me oppro- 
brium et contemptum : 

* quia testimonia tua 
exquisivi. 



Glory be to the Fa- 
ther, etc. 

H IYE bountifully to 
^ thy servant ; en- 
liven me, and I shall 
keep thy words. 

Open thou my eyes: 
and I will consider the 
wondrous things of 
thy law. 

I am a sojourner on 
the earth : hide not 
thy commandments 
from me. 

My soul hath covet- 
ed to long for thy jus- 
tifications at all times. 

Thou hast rebuked 
the proud : they are 
cursed who decline 
from thy command- 
ments. 

Remove from me re- 
proach and contempt : 
because I have sought 
after thy testimonies. 



272 BURIAL OF CHILDREN. 



Etenim sederunt 
principes, et adversura 
me ioquebantur : * ser- 
vus autem tuus exer- 
cebatur in justificatio- 
nibus tuis. 

Nam et testimonia 
tua meditatio mea est : 
* et consilium meum 
justificationes tuag. 

Adhaesit pavimento 
anima mea : * vivifica 
me secundum verbuni 
tuum. 

Yias meas enuntiavi, 
et exaudisti me : * doce 
me justificationes tu- 
as. 

Viam justificatio- 
num tuarum instrue 
me : * et exercebor in 
mirabilibus tuis. 

Dorniitavit anima 
mea prae taedio : * con- 
firma me in verbis 
tuis. 



For princes sat, and 
spoke against me : but 
thy servant was em- 
ployed in tliy justifi- 
cations. 

For thy testimonies 
are my meditations : 
and thy justifications 
my counsel. 

My soul hath cleav- 
ed to the pavement : 
quicken thou me ac- 
cording to thy word. 

I have declared my 
"ways and thou hast 
heard me : teach me 
thy justifications. 

Make me to under- 
stand the way of thy 
justifications : and I 
shall be exercised in 
thy wondrous works. 

My soul hath slum- 
bered through heavi- 
ness : strengthen thou 
me in thy words. 



BURIAL OF CHILDREN. 



273 



Via m iniquitatis 
amove a me : * et de 
lege tua mirerere mei. 

Viani veritatis elegi: 
* judicia tua non sum 
oblitus. 

Adhsesi testimoxiiis 
tuis Domine : * noli 
me confundere. 

Viam mandatorum 
tuorum cucurri,* cum 
dilatasti cor meum. 

Gloria Patri, etc. 

If time permit, the 
said : 

psalmus 148. 
T AUDATE Domi- 
^ num de ccelis : * 
laudate eum in excel- 
sis. 

Laudate eum omnes 
Angeli ejus : * laudate 
eum omnes virtutes 
ejus. 

18 



Remove from me the 
way of iniquity, and 
out of thy law have 
mercy on me. 

I have chosen the 
way of truth : thy 
judgments I have not 
forgotten. 

I have stuck to thy 
testimonies, 0 Lord, 
put me not to shame. 

I have run the way 
of thy commandments, 
when thou didst en- 
large my heart. 

Glory be to the Fa- 
ther, etc. 
following may also be 

psalm 148. 

PRAISE ye the Lord 
from the heavens : 
praise ye him in the 
high places. 

Praise ye him all 
his Angels : praise ye 
him all his hosts. 



274 BURIAL OF 

Landate eum sol et 
luna : * laudate eum 
omnes stellae et lu- 
men. 

Laudate eum coeli 
coelorum : * et aquae 
ornnes quae super cce- 
los sunt, laudent no- 
men Domini. 

Quia ipse dixit, et 
facta sunt : * ipse 
mandavit, et creata 
sunt. 

Statuit ea in aeter- 
num, et in sseculuni 
saeculi : * praeceptmn 
posuit, et non praeteri- 
bit. 

Laudate Dominum 
de terra : * dracones, 
et omnes abyssi : 

Ignis, grando, nix, 
glacies, spiritus pro- 
cellarum : * quae f aci- 
unt verbum ejus : 

Montes, et omnes 
colles : * ligna fructi- 
fera, et omnes cedri : 



CHILDREN. 

Praise ye him, 0 
sun and moon : praise 
him, all ye stars and 
light. 

Praise him, ye hea- 
vens of heavens : and 
let all the waters that 
are above the heavens, 
praise the name of the 
Lord. 

For he spoke, and 
they were made : he 
commanded, and they 
were created. 

He hath established 
them forever, and for 
ages of ages : he hath 
made a decree, and it 
shall not pass away. 

Praise the Lord from 
the earth, ye dragons, 
and all ye deeps : 

Fire, hail, snow, ice, 
stormy winds, which 
fulfill his word : 

Mountains, and all 
hills, fruitful trees, 
and all cedars : 



BUEIAL OF CHILDKEX. 



275 



Bestiae, et uniyersa 
pecora : * serpentes, 
et volucres pennatae : 

Reges terrse, et om- 
nes populi : * princi- 
pes, et omnes judices 
terrse : 

Juyenes, et yirgines, 
senes cuni junioribus 
laudent nonien Domi- 
ni : * quia exaltatum 
est nomen ejus solius. 

Conf essio ejus super 
coelum et terram : * et 
exaltayit cornu populi 
sui. 

Hyrnnus omnibus 
Sanctis ejus : * filiis 
Israel ; populo appro- 
pinquanti sibi. 

Gloria Patri, etc. 

psalmus 149. 
r\ ANT ATE Domino 
^ canticum noyum : 



Beasts, and all cat- 
tle : serpents, and fea- 
thered fowls : 

Kings of the earth, 
and all people : prin- 
ces, and all judges of 
the earth: 

Young men, and 
maidens : let the old 
with the younger 
praise the name of the 
Lord : for his name 
alone is exalted. 

The praise of him is 
a b o y e heayen and 
earth : and he hath ex- 
alted the horn of his 
people. 

A hymn to all his 
saints : to the chil- 
dren of Israel, a peo- 
p 1 e approaching to 
him. 

Glory be to t h e 
Father, etc. 

PSAX.3I 149. 

CIXG ye to the Lord 
^ a new canticle : 



276 



BURIAL OF CHILDREN. 



*laus ejus in ecclesia 
sanctorum. 

Laetetur Israel in eo, 
qui fecit eum: * et filii 
Sion exultent in rege 
suo. 

Laudent nomen ejus 
in choro : * in tvmpano 
et psalterio psallant 
ei : 

Quia beneplacitum 
est Domino in populo 
suo: * et exalt abitnian- 
suetos in salutem. 

Exult abunt sancti 
in gloria, * laecabuntur 
in cubilibus suis. 

Exalt ationes Dei in 
gutture eorum : * et 
g 1 a d i i ancipites in 
manibus eorum : 

Ad faciendam vin- 



let his praise be in 
the church of the 
saints. 

Let Israel rejoice in 
him that made him : 
and let the children of 
Sion be joyful in their 
king. 

Let them praise his 
name in choir : let 
them sing to him with 
the timbrel and the 
psaltery : 

For the Lord is well 
pleased with his peo- 
ple : and he will exalt 
the meek unto salva- 
tion. 

The saints shall re- 
joice in glory : thev 
shall be joyful in their 
beds. 

The high praises of 
God shall be in their 
mouth: and two- 
edged swords in their 
hands : 

To execute v e n - 



BURIAL OF CHILDREN. 



277 



dictam in nationibus: 
* increpationes in po- 
pulis : 

Ad alligandos reges 
eorum in compedi- 
bus: * et nobiles eo- 
rum in manicis fer- 
reis : 

Ut faciant in e i s 
judicium conscriptum : 
55 gloria bsec est omni- 
bus Sanctis ejus. 

Gfloria Patri, etc. 

psalmus 150. 

T AUDATE D o m i- 
^ n u m in Sanctis 
ejus : * laudate eum 
in firmamento virtutis 
ejus. 

Laudate eum in vir- 
tutibus ejus: - laudate 
eum secundum multi 
tudinem magnitudinis 
ejus. 

Laudate eum in 



geance upon the na- 
tions, chastisements 
among the people : 

To bind their kings 
with fetters, and their 
nobles with manacles 
of iron : 

To execute upon 
them the judgment 
that is written : this 
glory is to all his 
saints. 

Glory be to the 
Father, etc. 

psalm 150. 

P RAISE ye the Lord 
in his holy places : 
praise ye him in the 
firmament of his pow- 
er. 

Praise ye him for 
his mighty acts : 
praise ye him accord- 
ing to the multitude 
of his greatness. 

Praise him with 



278 



BURIAL OF CHILDREN. 



sono tubae : * laudate 
euni in psalterio et 
cithara. 

Laudate eum in 
tynipano et choro: 

* laudate eum in chor- 
dis et organo. 

Laudate eum in 
cymbalis benesonanti- 
bus : laudate eum in 
cymbalis jubilationis : 

* omnis spiritus laudet 
Dominum. 

Gloria Patri, et 
Filio. 



sound of trumpet : 
praise him with psal- 
tery and harp. 

Praise him with 
timbrel and choir, 
praise him with 
strings and organ. 

Praise him on high, 
sounding cymbals : 
praise him on cym- 
bals of joy : let every 
spirit praise the Lord. 

Glory be to the 
Father, etc. 



On arriving at the church, the priest says : 

Ant. Hie accipiet. Ant. This child 
shall receive. 



PSALMTJS 23. 

TVOMIXI est terra, et 
U plenitudo ejus : 
* orbis terrarum, et 
universi qui habitant 
in eo. 

Quia ipse super 
maria fundavit eum: 



PSALM 23. 

THE earth is the 
Lord's, and the 
fullness thereof : the 
world and all they 
that dwell therein : 

For he hath founded 
it upon the seas ; and 



BURIAL OF CHILDREN. 



279 



et * super flumina 
praeparavit eum. 

Quis ascendet in 
montem Domini ? * aut 
quis stabit in loco 
sancto ejus ? 

Innocens manibus et 
mundo corde : * qui 
non accepit in vano 
animam suam, nec ju- 
ravit in dolo proximo 
suo. 

Hie accipiet bene- 
dictionem a Domino : 

* et misericordiam a 
Deo salutari suo, 

Haec est generatio 
quaerentium eum, 

* quaerentium f aciem 
Dei Jacob. 

Attollite portas prin- 
cipes vestras, et ele- 
vamini portae aeter- 
nales : * et introibit 
Rex gloriae. 

Quis est iste Rex 



bath prepared it upon 
the rivers. 

Who sball ascend 
into the mountain of 
the Lord? or who 
shall stand in his holy 
place ? 

The innocent in 
hands, and clean of 
heart, who hath not 
taken his soul in vain, 
nor sworn deceitfully 
to his neighbor. 

He shall receive a 
blessing from the 
Lord, and mercy from 
God his Saviour. 

This is the gener- 
ation of them that 
seek him, of them 
that seek the face of 
the God of Jacob. 

Lift up your gates, 
0 ye princes, and be 
ye lifted up, 0 eternal 
gates ; and the King 
of Glory shall enter in. 

Who is this King of 



280 BURIAL OF CHILDKEN. 



gloriae? * Dominus 
f ortis et potens, Domi- 
nus potens in praelio. 

Attollite portas prin- 
cipes vestras, et ele- 
varuini portse seter- 
n a 1 e s : * et introibit 
Rex gloriae. 

Quis est iste Rex 
gloriae?* Dominus 
virtutum ipse est Rex 
glorise. Gloria Patri, 
etc. 

Ant. Hie accipiet 
benedictionem a Dom- 
ino, et misericordiam 
a Deo salutari suo, 
quia haec est generatio 
quaerentium Domi- 
num. 

Kyrie eleison. 

Christe eleison. 

Kyrie eleison. 

Pater noster, etc. 



Glory? the Lord who 
is strong and mighty : 
the Lord mighty in 
battle. % 

Lift up your gates, 
0 ye princes, and be 
ye lifted up, O eternal 
gates ; and the King 
of Glory shall enter in. 

Who is this King of 
Glory? the Lord of 
hosts he is the King of 
Glory. Glory be to 
the Father, etc. 

Ant. This child 
shall receive a bless- 
ing from the Lord, 
and mercy from God 
his (or her) Saviour, for 
this is the generation 
of them that seek the 
Lord. 

Lord, have mercy 
on us. 

Christ, have mercy 
on us. 

Lord, have mercy 
on us. 

Our Father, etc. 



BURIAL OF CHILDREN. 



231 



The body is sprinkle 

V. Et ne nos indu- 
cas in tentationem. 

R. Sed libera nos a 
malo. 

V. Me autem prop- 
ter innocentiam sus- 
cepisti. 

R. Et confirmasti 
me in conspectu tuo 
in seternum. 

V. Doniinus vobis- 
cum. 

R. Et cum spiritu 
tuo. 



i with, holy water. 

V. And lead us not 
into temptation. 

R. But deliver us 
from evil. 

V. Thou hast taken 
me to thyself on ac- 
count of my inno- 
cence. 

R, And thou hast 
established me in thy 
presence forever. 

V. The Lord be 
with you. 

R. And with thy 
spirit. 



OREMUS. 

OMNIPOTENS et 
mitissime Deus,qui 
omnibus parvulis rena- 
tis fonte Baptismatis, 
dum migrant a saeculo, 
sine ullis eorum men- 
tis vitam illico largi- 
ris aaternam, sicut ani- 
msd hujus parvuli ho- 



LET US PRAY. 

0 ALMIGHTY and 
Most Meek God, 
who dost confer eter- 
nal life, without any 
merit of theirs, on all 
little children renewed 
by the water of Bap- 
tism, immediately on 
their departure from 



282 



BURIAL OF CHILDREN. 



die credinius te fecis- 
se : fac nos, quaesu- 
nius Domine, per in- 
tercessionem b e a t ae 
Marias semper virgin- 
is, et omnium Sancto- 
rum tuorura, hie puri- 
fieatis tibi mentibus 
fainulari, et in Para- 
diso cum beatis parvu- 
lis perenniter sociari. 
Per Christum Domi- 
num nostrum. 



B. Amen. 



this life ; as we be- 
lieve that thou hast 
done to-day toward 
this little child. 
Grant, through the in- 
tercession of the Bless- 
ed Virgin Mary, and 
of all thy Saints, that 
we may serve thee 
here with purified 
minds, and that we 
may be associated for- 
ever in Paradise with 
blessed little children, 
through Christ our 
Lord. 
R. Amen. 



While the corpse is carried to the grave, 
and even when not carried, the following is 
said : 

PSALMUS 148, ETC., Ut PSALM 148, ETC., dS 071 

supra, P. 273. P. 273. 

A NT Juvenes et A NT Young men 
virgines, senes and maidens : let 
cum junioribus lau- the old with the young 
dent nomen Domini. praise the name of the 
Lord. 



BURIAL OF CHILDREN. 



283 



Kyrie eleisom Lord, have mercy on 

us. 

Christe eleison. Christ, have mercy 

on us. 

Eyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy on 

us. 

Pater noster, secretd. Our Father, etc. 

V. Et ne nos indu- V. And lead us not 
cas in tentationem. into temptation. 

R, Sed libera nos a R. But deliver us 
malo. from evil. 

V. Sinite parvulos V. Suffer children 
venire ad me. to come to me. 

R. Talium est enim R. For of such is 
regnum coeloruni. the kingdom of hea- 
ven. 

V. Doniinus vobis- V. The Lord be 
cum. with you. 

R. Et cum spiritu R. And with thy 
tuo. spirit. 



OREMUS. 

AMNIPOTEXS sem- 
^ piterne Deus, sanc- 
tae puritatis amator, 
qui animam hujus par- 
vuli ad ccelorum reg- 
num hodie misericor- 



LET US PRAY. 

A ALMIGHTY and 
^ Eternal God ! lov- 
er of holy purity ! 
who hast mercifully 
deigned to call the 
soul of this little child 



284 



BUTRIAL OF CHILDREN. 



diter vocare dignatus 
es, digneris etiani Do- 
mine ita nobiscuni 
misericorditer agere ; 
ut ineritis tuae sanctis- 
sinise Passionis, et in- 
tercessione beatse Ma- 
rise semper Yirginis, 
et omnium Sanctorum 
tuorum, in eodem reg- 
no nos cum omnibus 
Sanctis et electis tuis 
semper facias congau- 
dere. Qui vivis et 
regnas cum Deo Patre 
in imitate Spiritus 
Sancti Deus, per om- 
nia saecula saeculorum. 



R. Amen. 



to the kingdom of 
heaven this day ; 
vouchsafe also, 0 
Lord ! to deal merci- 
fully with us in like 
manner, that by the 
merits of thy most 
holy Passion, and by 
the intercession of the 
blessed Virgin Mary, 
and of all thy Saints, 
thou wouldst grant 
that we may rejoice 
forever in the same 
kingdom with all thy 
Saints and elect. Who 
livest and reignest 
with God the Father 
in the unity of the 
Holy Ghost, forever 
and ever, 
it. Amen. 



Here the corpse and the grave are sprinkled 
with holy water, and incensed : after which 
the body is interred. In returning from the 
burial to the church the following is said : 



Ant. Benedicite. Ant. Bless the Lord. 



BUKIAL OF CHILDREN. 



285 



CANTICUM TRIUM PU- 
ERORUM. DAK. III. 

T)ENEDICITE, om- 

nia opera Domini 
Domino : * laudate et 
snperexaltate eum in 
saecula. 

Benedicite, Angeli 
Domini Domino: 
* benedicite, coeli Do- 
mino. 

Benedicite, a q u as 
omnes, quae super coe- 
los sunt, Domino : * 
benedicite, omnes vir- 
tutes Domini Domino. 

Benedicite, sol et lu- 
na Domino : * benedi- 
cite, stellae coeli Domi- 
no. 

Benedicite, omnis 
imber et ros Domino : * 
benedicite, omnes spi- 
ritus Dei Domino. 

Benedicite, ignis et 
aestus Domino : * bene- 



CANTICLE OF THE 
THREE CHILDREN. 
DAN. III. 

A LL ye works of 
Lord, bless the 
Lord ; praise and ex- 
alt him above all for- 
ever. 

O ye Angels of the 
L:rd, bless the Lord ; 
O ye heavens, bless 
the Lord. 

O all ye waters that 
are above the heavens, 
bless the Lord ; O all 
ye powers of the Lord, 
bless the Lord. 

O ye sun and moon, 
bless the Lord ; 0 ye 
stars of heaven, bless 
the Lord. 

O every shower and 
dew, bless ye the 
Lord ; O all ye spirits 
of God, bless the Lord. 

O ye fire and heat, 
bless the Lord ; 0 ye 



286 



BURIAL OP CHILDREN. 



dicite, frigus et aestus 
Domino. 

Benedicite, rores et 
pruina Domino : * be- 
nedicite, gelu et frigus 
Domino. 

Benedicite, glacies 
et nives Domino : * be- 
nedicite, noctes et dies 
Domino. 

Benedicite, lux et 
tenebree Domino : * be- 
nedicite, fulgura et 
nubes Domino. 

Benedicat terra Do- 
minum : * laudet et 
superexaltet eum in 
saecula. 

Benedicite, montes 
et colles Domino : be- 
nedicite, universa ger- 
minantia in terra Do- 
mino. 

Benedicite, fontes 
Domino : * benedicite, 
maria et fiumina Do- 
mino. 

Benedicite, cete, et 



cold and beat, bless 
the Lord. 

0 ye dews and boar- 
frost, bless tbe Lord ; 
O ye frost and cold, 
bless tbe Lord. 

0 ye ice and snow, 
bless tbe Lord ; O ye 
nigbts and days, bless 
tbe Lord. 

O ye ligbt and dark- 
ness, bless tbe Lord ; 
O ye ligbtnings and 
clouds, bless tbe Lord. 

Ob, let tbe eartb 
bless tbe Lord ; let it 
praise and exalt bim 
above all forever. 

O ye mountains and 
bills, bless tbe Lord ; 
O all ye tbings tbat 
spring up in tbe eartb, 
bless tbe Lord. 

0 ye fountains, bless 
tbe Lord ; 0 ye seas 
and rivers, bless tbe 
Lord. 

0 ye wbales and all 



BURIAL OF CHILDREN. 



287 



omnia quae moventur 
in aqnis, Domino : 

* benedicite, omnes 
volucres coeli Domino. 

Benedicite, omnes 
bestise et pecora Domi- 
no : * benedicite, filii 
hominum Domino. 

Benedicat Israel Do- 
minum : * landet et 
superexaltet eum in 
saacula. 

Benedicite, sacerdo- 
tes Domini Domino : 

* benedicite, servi Do- 
mini Domino. 

Benedicite, spiritus 
et animae justorum 
Domino : * benedicite, 
sancti et humiles cor- 
de Domino. 

Benedicite, Anania, 
Azaria, Misael Domi- 
no : * laudate et super- 
exaltate eum in saecu- 
la. 

Benedicamus Pa- 
trem et Filium cum 



that move in the wa- 
ters, bless the Lord ; 
O all ye fowls of the 
air, bless the Lord. 

O all ye beasts and 
cattle, bless the Lord ; 
O ye sons of men, bless 
the Lord. 

Oh, let Israel bless 
the Lord ; let them 
praise and exalt him 
above all forever. 

0 ye priests of the 
Lord, bless the Lord : 
O ye servants of the 
Lord, bless the Lord. 

O ye spirits and 
souls of the just, bless 
the Lord ; 0 ye holy 
and humble of heart, 
bless the Lord. 

O Ananias, Azarias, 
and Misael, bless ye 
the Lord : praise and 
exalt him above all 
forever. 

Let us bless the Fa- 
ther and the Son, with 



288 BURIAL OF CHILDBED 



Sancto Spirit u : * lau- 
demus et superexal te- 
nuis eum in ssecula. 

Benedictus es Domi- 
ne in firmamento coeli: 
* et laudabilis, et glo- 
riosus, et superexalta- 
tus in saecula. 

Ant, Benedicite, 
Dominum omnes elec- 
ti ejus, agite dies lseti- 
tiae, et confitemini illi. 



the Holy Spirit ; let us 
praise and exalt liini 
above all forever. 

Blessed art thou, O 
Lord, in the firma- 
ment of heaven ; and 
praiseworthy, and glo- 
rious, and superexalt- 
ed above all forever. 

Ant. Bless the Lord, 
all ye his elect ; spend 
days of joy and confess 
to him. 



Being before the altar the priest says : 



V. Dominus vobis- 
cum. 

B. Et cum spiritu 
tuo. 

OREMUS. 

T^EUS, qui miro or- 
*J dine Angelorum 
minis teria hominum- 
que dispensas : conce- 
de propitius ; ut a qui- 
bus tibi ministranti- 
bus in ccelo semper 
assistitur, ab his in 



V. The Lord be 
with you. 

B. And with thy 
spirit. 

LET US PRAY. 

OGOD, who by a 
wonderful order 
hast regulated the em- 
ployments of angels 
and men ; grant that 
those who are always 
ministering before 
thee in heaven, may 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



289 



terra vita nostra mu- defend our lives here 

niatur. Per Christum on earth. Through 

Dominum nostrum. Christ our Lord. 

R. Amen. M. Amen. 

MANNER OP HEARING MASS FOR THE DEAD. 

THERE is no special method of hearing such 
Masses that can be counseled to the pious 
reader. Where one is able to follow in the 
prayer-book missal or ritual the subline and 
touching office of the Church in funeral ser- 
vices, it is hard not to find abundant matter 
for devotion and meditation. The manner of 
assisting at Mass given at page 97, if made 
familiar by practice, must enable the soul to 
follow the various stages of the holy sacrifice 
understandingly, and to gather from each of 
them the fruits most necessary to herself and 
to departed relatives or friends. When we 
can fix heart and mind on the divine reality 
which is passing before us in the Mass for the 
Dead, we find but little difficulty in asking 
what , is most beneficial to ourselves and to 
others, and what God is most willing to grant. 
The Holy Spirit is ever ready to teach us how 
to pray — at Mass time especially, and will not 
fail to suggest what we ought to ask. The 
important thing is to let our heart speak as it 

is prompted from within. 
19 



290 CEREMONIES AT FUNERAL SERVICES. 

Thus, the form of prayer given above, page 
100, is available, with but little variation, 
for the dead as well as for the living, for 
pleading in behalf of others as well as in our 
own. 

Where one feels impelled to gain in favor 
of the deceased the indulgences attached to 
privileged forms of prayer, then, we should 
advise the recital during Mass for the Dead, 
of the prayers to the Five Wounds of our 
Lord or any other devotion in honor of the 
Passion. 

Outside of Mass time, persons anxious to 
aid the souls of the departed can find no form 
of devotion more conducive to that end, than 
the performance of "The Way of the Cross," 
or, " The Stations," as it is more familiarly des- 
ignated. This is the most acceptable, the most 
beautiful, and the most beneficial of all popu- 
lar devotions, suited alike to the most exalted 
in rank and to the lowliest, and appealing 
powerfully to the soul of the most cultivated 
and the most illiterate. 

CEREMONIES USED IN SERVICES FOR THE 
DEAD. 



TEE Christian dying in the grace of God 
■*■ and the peace of the Church, is fortified 



CEREMONIES AT FUNERAL SERVICES. 291 



before death by "the last Sacrament s," — the 
Eucharistic bread received as Viaticum or pro- 
vision for the journey toward the land of the 
living", and Extreme Unction, which purines 
man's soul and body from all the stains and 
defilements contracted in the journey of this 
mortal life. It is the mind of the Church 
that the bodies of her dead children should 
repose in consecrated ground, as being them- 
selves in life the temples of the Holy Ghost, 
hallowed at the last hour by union with the 
sacramental body of Christ, purified and con- 
secrated anew to God by the Last Unction, 
and destined to a glorious resurrection on the 
last day. 

There is a twofold solicitude shown by the 
Church for her dead, a supreme anxiety to se- 
cure to the soul a favorable judgment and a 
speedy release from the penal flames of pur- 
gatory, and a supreme respect for the bodies 
destined to the glory and bliss of the eternal 
kingdom. Hence, in the countries where her 
ritual is respected and enforced by the law of 
the land, the dead repose either within the 
precincts of the house of God or around it, to 
show their union with Christ in Death as well 
as in life, and their continual share in the 
prayers and sacrifices of the faithful, i 



292 CEREMONIES AT FUNERAL SERVICED 

1. The tapers and otlier lights surrounding 
the corpse or bier, and borne by the clergy or 
the congregation, are symbolical of the living 
faith which unites us with those who are gone 
before us, as well as that ardent charity which 
follows with its spiritual sympathy and aid 
the dear ones who have passed into the dread 
realm of the divine justice. 

2. The Cross borne at the head of the clergy 
in the funeral procession, represents our Cru- 
cified Redeemer, who opened to us all the way 
to heaven, and whose death is the life of our 
souls. The sign of the cross is also marked 
on the funeral pall which covers the remains, 
to signify that the merits of the Crucified en- 
velop the departed in death as they did in 
lifetime. 

3. The tolling of bells as well as the solemn 
dirges of the Church music, is but the voice 
of the common Mother in her grief calling on 
all her children within reach to pray for the 
dead as they would hope to be one day prayed 
for. 

4. The exceeding care and reverence with 
which the Church directs that the body shall 
be carried to the grave, the grave itself hal- 
lowed, and the corpse laid therein,— all tend 
to show that she considers the remains of her 



CEREMONIES AT FUNERAL SERVICES. 293 

departed ones to be most precious and most 
sacred treasures deposited in her own keeping, 
and to be tenderly and faithfully guarded till 
the final awakening. 

5. Bishops, Popes, Princes, or great public 
personages are buried in the robes of their of- 
fice, not so much for the purpose of worldly 
pomp and display, as to teach their fellows in 
responsibility, that "unto whomsoever much 
is given, of him much shall be required : and 
to whom they have committed much, of him 
they will demand the more" (St. Luke xii. 
48): and that "a most severe judgment 
shall be for them that bear rule " ( Wisdom 
vi. 6). 

6. "If no merit is acquired in this life 
[says St. Augustine], by which the supplica- 
tions of the Church, the prayers offered and 
masses celebrated may be rendered ayailable 
to the deceased, it is in vain to attempt to pro- 
cure it after this life. Whence it must be 
concluded, that it is the manner of life prac- 
ticed while still in the body, which is the 
cause why the piety of the Church and the 
faithful is or is not profitable to the de- 
parted. 

" Xow, though the sacrifices of the altar, 
prayers and alms do not benefit all those for 



294 



CEEEMONXAL. 



whom they are offered, but those only who 
during lifetime acquired the ground of their 
being profitable, — nevertheless, inasmuch as 
we know not in particular who those may be, 
we are bound to perform these offices of piety 
for all the regenerated, to the end that no one 
of them who have a right to these benefits 
should be deprived of the same. For it will 
be better that we should do what is superflu- 
ous toward those whom they neither profit nor 
disprofit, than they should fail those to whom 
they should prove a benefit." {Be cur a pro 
mortuis.) 



^ nocence and before the use of reason, 
are in some countries clothed according to 
their age, their heads being wreathed with 
flowers and sweet-smelling herbs. In other 
countries, their funeral garments, and the 
hearse-cloth are snow white, in token of their 
innocence and purity : " for they are virgin 
(souls). These follow the Lamb whitherso- 
ever he goeth " (Apoc. xiv. 4). The bells, 
when rung for them, ring joyously ; and the 
psalms, as can be seen above, are songs of 
praise and thanksgiving. In the ancient Cath- 



BUBIAL OF CHILDREN. 




baptismal in- 



CEREMONIAL. 



295 



olic cemeteries, a place of honor was set apart 
for these undefiled ones, thereby separating 
those who die in certain and perfect innocence 
from the mass of adults who are supposed to 
die imperfectly penitent. 



PAET II. 



gn#tntrticm# mx& Qmtw\\$ plating U 
Sacranunts. 

I. 

BAPTISM. 

" n HEIST . . . loved tlie Church, and de- 
^ liver ed himself up for it, that he might 
sanctify it, cleansing it by the laver of water 
in the word of life, that he might present it 
to himself a glorious Church, not having spot 
or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it 
should be holy and without blemish. " (Ephe- 
sians v. 25, 26, 27.) 

The water of baptism represents the blood 
of Christ in which man is ' ' born again" (St, 
John iii. 5), to supernatural life with a super- 
natural destiny and the obligation of prac- 
ticing supernatural virtues. By natural birth 
man is the child of Adam, — of Adam fallen 
from the integrity and holiness of his first 
condition, and become with his posterity 

296 



SACEAMENT OF BAPTISM. 



297 



" children of wrath/' with the supernatural 
heaven destined for them closed against them, 
banned from the society of God and his Angels 
in the heavenly city, and excluded from the 
divine bliss of the beatific vision. 

In Baptism, we are born anew to the second 
Adam, Christ, this time in the blood of a God, 
as children of God, raised by the Redeemer to 
a divine rank, being thereby created ' ' heirs 
indeed of God, and joint-heirs with Christ : 
yet so if we suifer with him, that we may 
be also glorified with him" (Romans viii. 
17). 

Christ paid in his own person, given up to 
suffering and death, the price of our redemp- 
tion from sin and the loss of eternal life con- 
sequent upon sin, and restored us to the des- 
tiny we had forfeited in Adam, making it the 
condition of our being regenerated and re- 
stored in himsslf, that we should be cleansed 
from the stain of our first origin in the bath 
or laver of Baptism, and receive therein the 
divine spirit of our adoption, " whereby we 
cry Abba ! [Father !] For the spirit himself 
giveth testimony to our spirit that we are the 
sons of God " (ibidem). 

Holy Baptism is thus the gate or entrance 
to the Christian religion, to the Church or 



298 SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM. 

household of God on earth, and to that life 
everlasting in the eternal kingdom. Christ, 
the restorer of that supernatural order, in 
which men are raised to the divine rank of 
God's adopted children, has made this sacra- 
ment the necessary means of our initiation 
into that sublime order and of our second 
birth as sons and joint-heirs with himself. 
"Unless a man be born again of water and 
the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the 
kingdom of God." (St. John iii. 5.) " Going, 
therefore, teach ye all nations, baptizing them 
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, 
and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to ob- 
serve a]l things whatsoever I have commanded 
you." (St. Matthew xxviii. 19, 20.) 

The Church baptizes infants and idiots in 
the faith of their godfathers and godmothers, 
and is therefore extremely careful to allow 
none but persons holding the true xaith to ful- 
fill the office of sponsor. She is solely solicit- 
ous that the baptized child should grow up 
in the perfect knowledge of all that Christ 
teaches, in the faithful observance of all his 
commands and ordinances, most true in word 
and deed and life to the faith which is in 
him. 

As to persons who are baptized after they 



SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM. 299 

have come, to the use of reason, they are 
bound (1) to be well instructed in the faith 
and law of Christ. They must believe ex- 
pressly what is taught them, and discard all 
opinions contrary to the Catholic doctrine : 
" He that believeth and is baptized shall be 
saved." (St. Mark xvi. 16.) The living faith, 
the active hope and charity infused into the 
soul in baptism, are the principles of that 
supernatural life of holiness which a Chris- 
tian is bound to lead. The Holy Spirit who 
becomes an indweller in the regenerated soul 
enters there for the purpose of never again, 
in time or eternity, departing therefrom, thus 
becoming in that soul the prompter and effi- 
cient helper toward God-like aims and deeds, 
and enabling the faithful Christian to advance 
from virtue to virtue, from a lower to a higher 
degree of perfection, and to become daily 
more and more Christ-like. "As we have 
borne the image of the earthly, let us bear 
also the image of the heavenly." (1 Corinthi- 
ans xv. 49.) "Walk ye as the children of 
the light : for the fruit of the light is in all 
goodness, and justice, and truth." (Ephe- 
sians v. 8, 9.) " That you may be blameless, 
and sincere children of God, without reproof, 
in the midst of a depraved and perverse gen- 



800 SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM. 

eration ; among whom you shine as lights in 
the world." (PMUppians ii. 15.) " But one 
thing I do ; forgetting the things that are be- 
hind, and stretching forth myself to those 
that are before, I pursue toward the mark, 
for the prize of the supernal vocation of 
God in Christ Jesus." (Ibidem iii. 13, 14) 
" Wherefore also we pray always for you ; 
that our God would make you worthy of his 
calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his 
goodness, and the work of faith in power, 
that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glo- 
rified in you and you in him." (2 Thessalo- 
nians i. 11, 12.) 

(2.) They must approach the sacrament of 
baptism with a hearty sorrow for their sins, 
and a firm purpose of amending their lives. 
(Acts ii. 37, 88 : iii. 19.) 

(3.) They must exercise themselves, some 
da\s before, in works of piety ; and it is pro- 
per that they should be fasting when they are 
baptized, — that is, when baptism is conferred 
during the forenoon. 

During the ceremony itself, let them con- 
sider how, when Jesus was baptized by John 
in the Jordan (St. Mark i.), " He saw the 
heavens opened, and the Spirit as a dove 
descending, and remaining on him. Arid 



SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM. 801 

there came a voice from heaven : Thou art 
my beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased." 

After baptism, it must become the duty 
of the regenerated soul to go forward in all 
godliness after the beautiful model outlined 
above. 

The memory of our incorporation with 
Christ into the Society of God, his angels and 
saints, should be renewed frequently. In 
Catholic lands certain feasts were (and are 
still) appointed for public renewal of the 
promises made in baptism. In France (and 
so in Canada) it was wont to be on Trinity 
Sunday. On the feast of the Epiphany, the 
eves of Easter and Pentecost, the Church 
baptizes with extraordinary solemnity adults 
and converts ; and hence these days are es- 
pecially sacred to the renewal of the bap- 
tismal grace and fervor. It is customary also 
to renew in some public form these pledges 
on the day of first communion and confirma- 
tion. But it behooves every fervent Chris- 
tian to keep a record of the day of one's bap- 
tism, and on its yearly return, to make, 
wherever one happens to be ? some such re- 
turn on one's self as the following : 

1. Consider the nature and divine effects of 
Baptism, as set forth above. 



302 SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM, 

2. Compare with the glorious state of inno- 
cence and supernatural grace conferred on you 
by baptism, your subsequent and present con- 
dition of lukewarmness, neglect, or sin ; — and 
say with the prophet : " Who will give water 
to my head and a fountain of tears to my 
eyes?" (Jeremias ix. 1.) How dreadful is the 
misfortune of breaking the covenant made at 
the baptismal font ! How fearful, after hav- 
ing become God's adopted child, to fall away 
into the service of the devil and to do his 
works ! What guilt to compel the Spirit of 
God to forsake the soul which had become his 
temple, and to open that temple to the Evil 
One and his associates ! 

3. Sprinkle yourself with holy water in re- 
membrance of Christ's baptism and your own, 
and beg of your Creator to revive in your soul 
the grace once received and then forfeited. 
" Who will grant me, that I might be accord- 
ing to the months past, according to the days 
in which God kept me? When his lamp 
shined over my head, and I walked by his 
light in darkness ? As I was in the days of 
my youth, when God was secretly in my tab- 
ernacle ? When the Almighty was with me, 
and my servants [his Angels] round about 
me?" {Job xxix. 2, 3, 4, 5.) 



PRAYER FOR PROMISES OF BAPTISM. 303 

4. Renew your soul by heartfelt sorrow and 
a generous resolution to atone for the past. 

A PRAYER FOR REtfEWIKG THE PROM- 
ISES OF BAPTISM. 

MOST holy Trinity! Father, Son, 
and Holy Ghost, one God in three 
persons ! I present myself before thy 
sovereign Majesty, to pay thee the tri- 
bute of my thanksgiving, for the in- 
numerable graces and blessings which 
thou hast so liberally bestowed upon me, 
from my first coming into the world, 
until now. I thank thee particularly, 

0 my God ! for the inestimable grace 
of my baptism. What gratitude can 
bear proportion to such a favor ? By 
baptism, I have been delivered from 
the power of darkness, and translated 
into the kingdom of thy beloved Son ; 

1 have been cleansed from the stain of 
that sin, in which I was born ; I have 
been made a member of the body of 
Jesus Christ, to live of his life, to be 



304 PRAYER FOR PROMISES OF BAPTISM. 

animated and guided by his spirit, to 
enter into his designs, to imitate his 
virtues ; to be a living image of what 
he has been during his mortal life. 
These are the obligations of my bap- 
tism, these are the conditions of my 
covenant with thee : I ratify them now, 
and renew them in thy presence from 
the bottom of my heart, with a pro- 
found sorrow for having hitherto led a 
life so little conformable to my prom- 
ises, and proved myself, by repeated 
transgressions, so unworthy of the glo- 
rious quality of thy child. But now, 
relying on the promised assistance of 
thy grace, it is my firm determination 
to labor all my life in fulfilling these 
sacred engagements. 

Yes, 0 my God ! I renounce, forever, 
Satan and all his suggestions, the world 
and all its pomps, sin and all its con- 
cupiscences. I am resolved to unite 
and attach myself more and more to 
Jesus Christ, my Saviour, and to make 



PRAYER FOR PROMISES OF BAPTISM. 305 

his divine laws and maxims the object 
of my earnest study, and the invariable 
rule of all my actions. 

0 Eternal Father ! who wast pleased 
to adopt me in thy Son Jesus Christ, 
and to call me to thy celestial inherit- 
ance, revive in me the grace of this 
divine adoption ; and since I am regen- 
erated by thee alone, in order to be a 
citizen of heaven, grant that I may live 
for thee alone, and that all my desires 
and labors may be directed to the acqui- 
sition of heavenly goods. 

0 Jesus, the only-begotten Son of 
the Father ! who hast made me a mem- 
ber of thy mystical body, washed me in 
thy blood, and sanctified me by thy holy 
sacraments, perfect thy work in me. 

0 Holy Spirit ! adorable principle of 
the divine adoption ! be also the prin- 
ciple of my life, of my actions, of my de- 
sires, and of all the motions of my heart, 
that they may be worthy of a child of 
God, and member of Jesus Christ. 

20 



308 PRAYER TO OUR PATRON OF BAPTISM. 

0 Holy Trinity ! who, in consecrat- 
ing me to thy service by baptism, hast 
made me the adorer of the Unity of thy 
name, and of the Trinity of thy per- 
sons, mercifully grant, that I may adore 
thee in spirit and in truth during my 
life, and love, praise, and en joy thee dur- 
ing eternity. Amen. 

A PRAYER TO OUR HOLY PATROL OF 
BAPTISM. 

r\ LOBIOUS St. A 7 ". / whose name I 
have the honor to bear, who wast 
given in baptism as a protector and a 
pattern, and who, although secure of thy 
own immortal bliss, art nevertheless 
solicitous about my happiness ; assist 
me by thy powerful intercession, as 
thou instructest me by the examples of 
thy holy life. For I truly can behold 
in thy life, as in a bright mirror, what 
I am to correct in myself, and what I 
am to practice. Thou hast been like 
me, subject to suffering, encompassed 



ON ADMINISTERING THE SACRAMENT. 307 



with infirmities, assaulted with temp- 
tations ; but being rooted and founded 
in charity, thou hast spurned the rage 
and persecutions of the world, despised 
its allurements, and triumphed over its 
malignity. Obtain by thy prayers, that 
I may be endued with thy spirit, and 
become a follower of thee, as thou hast 
been, of Christ. Amen. 

ON THE NECESSITY AND ADVANTAGE OF 
USING CEREMONIES, IN THE ADMINIS- 
TRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS. 

"T^O the end that the nature of ceremonies, 
and the use whereunto they serve, may 
plainly appear, and so their quality the better 
be discerned, we are to note, that in every 
grand or public duty, which God requires at 
the hands of his Church, there is, besides the 
matter and form wherein the essence consists, 
a certain outward fashion, whereby the same 
is, in decent manner, administered. The sub- 
stance of all religious actions is delivered from 
God himself, in few words. For example 
sake in the sacraments, Unto the element let 
the loord he added, and they both make a sacra- 
ment, says St. Augustine. Baptism is given 



308 ON ADMINISTERING THE SACRAMENT. 

by the element of water, and that prescribed 
form of words, which the Church of Christ 
uses ; the sacrament of the body and blood of 
Christ is administered* in the elements of 
bread and wine, if those mystical words be 
added thereunto. But the due and decent 
form of administering those holy sacraments 
requires a great deal more. The end, which 
is aimed at in setting down the outward form 
of all religious actions, is the edification of the 
Church. Now, men are edified, when either 
their understanding is taught such actions as 
it behooves all men to consider ; or when their 
hearts are moved with any affection, suitable 
thereunto ; when their minds are in any sort 
stirred up unto that reverence, devotion, at- 
tention, and due regard, which in those cases 
seem requisite. Because, therefore, for this 
purpose, not only speech, but also sundry 
sensible means besides, have always been 
thought necessary, and especially those means, 
which being visible to the eye (the liveliest 
and most apprehensive sense of all others), 
have, in that respect, seemed the fittest to 

*The Eucharist is consecrated by the sacramental 
words pronounced at Mass over each element by the 
priest ; it is administered in communion to the priest 
himself and to others. 



on Administering the sacrament. 309 

make a deep and strong impression. Hence 
have risen, not only a number of prayers, 
readings, questionings, exhortings, but even 
the visible signs also, which being used in the 
performance of holy actions, are undoubtedly 
most effectual to open such matters, as men, 
when they know and remember carefully, 
must be a great deal the better informed, to 
what effect such duties serve. We must not 
think, but that there is some ground of rea- 
son, even in nature, whereby it comes to pass, 
that no nation under heaven, either does, or 
ever did suffer public actions, which are of 
weight, whether they be civil and temporal, 
or else spiritual and sacred, to pass without 
some visible solemnity ; the very strangeness 
whereof, and difference from that which is 
common, must cause popular eyes to observe 
and mark the same. Words, because they 
are common, and do not so strongly move the 
fancy of man, are for the most part but 
slightly heard ; and therefore with singular 
* wisdom it has been provided, that the deeds 
of men, which are made in the presence of 
witnesses, should pass, not only with words, 
but also with certain sensible actions, the 
memory whereof is far more easy and durable, 
than the memory of speech can be. The 



310 CEREMONIES USED IN BAPTISM!. 



thing*, which so long experience of all ages lias 
confirmed and found profitable, let not us pre- 
sume to condem n as follies andjoys, because ice 
sometimes know not the cause and reason of 
them* etc. Thus writes Mr. Hooker, an emi- 
nent divine of the Church of England, in the 
IVth book of his Ecclesiastical Polity, Sec. 1. 
And this is also the doctrine of the Council of 
Trent, Sess. 21, Cap. 2 ; and Sess. 22, Cap. 6. 

THE CEREMONIES USED IN BAPTISM. 

At the Church Door. 
1. THE child is presented at the church 
porch, or in some place answerable to 
it, at a distance from the font, to signify, 
that as yet, while under the guilt of original 
sin, he is an enemy of God, a stranger to his 
family, and unworthy to enter into his house. 

2. The priest, having learned the child's 
name, inquires of him: X. What dost thou 
ask of the Ch urch of God? And the godfather 
answers, Faith. The priest inquires again, 
What benefit dost thou expect f rom faith f And * 
the godfather answers, Life everlasting. Then 
the priest replies, If therefore thou wilt enter 
into life, keep the commandments. Thou shalt 
love the Lord thy God, icith thy whole heart, 
* See Jude, ver. 10. 



CEREMONIES USED IN BAPTISM. 311 

soul, and wind : and thy neighbor as thyself.* 
To give us to understand, that the faith, re- 
ceived in baptism is the beginning of man's 
salvation, the foundation and root of all justi- 
fication, and eternal life ; especially when its 
perfection is such, that it works by charily. 
{Gal. v. 6.) 

3. The priest breathes upon the child, which 
signifies the approach of the Holy Spirit, 
which is about to take possession of the in- 
fant, and, by baptism, to communicate to 
him a new life, even the life of grace. This 
ceremony was used by Christ, when commu- 
nicating to his apostles the Holy Ghost. He 
breathed upon them, saying, Eeceive ye the 
Holy Ghost. (Jo. xx. 22.) 

4 The sign of the cross is made on the fore- 
head and breast of the infant, to signify, that 
he cannot be delivered from sin, and made 
the child of God, but by virtue of Christ's 
passion ; that he is not to be ashamed of 
Christ crucified, but to desire and love him 
with all his heart. 

5. The priest lays his hand on the head of 
the child, to signify the power he has from 
Jesus Christ, of consecrating him a holy vic- 
tim to God ; and herein he follows the exam- 
* St. Matt. xix. 17 ; xxii. 37. 



313 CEREMONIES USED IN BAPTISM 

pie of Christ, laying his hands upon, and bless- 
ing young children, brought to him, that he 
might touch them ; as also upou many of 
those, whom he delivered from their infirmi- 
ties. {Mark x. 16 ; Luke iv. 40.) 

6. Salt, hallowed by the priest, is put into 
the child's mouth, to signify that, by the 
grace he is to receive in baptism, his soul 
will be freed from the corruption of sin, and 
seasoned with heavenly wisdom, enabling 
him to relish the most difficult and mortify- 
ing lessons of the gospel, of which salt is the 
emblem. 

7. Exorcisms are used (as Christ and his 
apostles used them — Mark ix. 24, and Acts 
xvi. 18,) to oppose the power of God against 
the power of the devil, and, by the same 
power, to dispossess him of whatever power 
he has over the child, by sin. 

8. The priest again makes the sign of the 
cross on the child's forehead, and lays his 
hand on his head, to show, that he is chosen 
out to become a victim, dedicated to the ser- 
vice and honor of God, under the character of 
the cross. 

9. The priest lays the end of his stole on the 
child, and brings him into the church, or to 
the font, to signify the priestly power, by 



CEREMONIES USED IN BAPTISM. 313 



which, in the administration of this sacra- 
ment, the child is to be admitted into the 
number of the faithful, and have a part in 
Christ, to the obtaining a stole of Glory,- if 
he observes his covenant with Gfod. 



'HE Creed is said, by the priest and 



by the godfather and godmother, in 
the name of the child, to intimate, that God 
accepts infants, in the faith of the Church, 
and of their godfathers and godmothers, as 
Christ accepted little ones in regard of their 
faith, who brought them to him. {Luke 
xviii. 15.) 

2. The Lord's Prayer is also said by them 
for the infant, that by baptism he may be 
made the child of our Father, who is in 
heaven, and consequently, the heir of God, 
and co-heir with Christ. {Rom. viii. 17.) 

3. The priest touches the child's ears with 
spittle, saying, Ephphetha, Be thou opened, 
and then his nostrils. This is the imitation 
of what Christ did in curing the deaf, the 
dumb, and the blind. {Mark vii. 33, 34 ; 
John ix. 6.) And it signifies, that the child, 
by baptism, being admitted into the fold of 



AT THE FONT. 




* Apoc. vi. 11 ; vii. 9, 13, 14. 



314 CEKEMONIES USED IN BAPTISM. 

Christ, ouglit to hear his voice, and not that 
of the world ; that he ought to seek no other 
perfumes, but of the knowledge and life of 
Christ. 

4. The child is asked, If he renounces Satan, 
his pomps, and works ; and the godfather an- 
swers, in the name of the child, Abrenuntio, 
I renounce them. This is done to signify, 
that to become the child of God, it is neces- 
sary to renounce the devil, and all that be- 
longs to him. 

5. The child is anointed with holy oil, on 
the breast and shoulders, in the form of a cross, 
to intimate, that whatever he desires, does, or 
suffers (signified by the breast and the shoul- 
ders), ought to be sanctified and consecrated 
to Christ crucified. 

6. The child is asked, If he believes f And 
the godfather answers in his name, Credo, I 
believe ; because it is written, He that beUeves 
and is baptized, shall be saved ; but he that be 
lieves not shall be damned. {Mar. xvi. 16.) 

7. The child is asked, If he will be baptized? 
And the godfather answers for him, Volo, I 
will ; to signify how desirable a thing it is to 
be saved from sin and hell, and made the heir 
of bliss, by baptism. (Tit. iii. 7.) And to 
show, that He, who created us, icithout us 3 will 



CEREMONIES USED IN BAPTISM. 



315 



not save us, without us ; i. e., without our free 
consent. Consequently, whatever belongs to 
religion, ought to be done by a free choice, 
and not by force. 

8. The child is baptized, and in this action 
(being the administration of the sacrament) 
the outward washing of the body effectually 
signifies the inward cleansing of the soul from 
sin. And here it is that the child puts off 
Adam, and puts on Christ ; and dying to 
sin, is buried with Christ, and in him rises 
again to grace and newness of life. (Gal. iii. 
27 ; Rom. vi. 4 ; Col. ii. 12.) 



'HE child is anointed on the head with 



•* chrism, to signify, that he is now become 
a member of that body, of which Christ is the 
head, who is called the Anointed : — that he 
is consecrated to God (which was ever done 
by anointing) as a spiritual King, of whom it 
is written, The patient man is better than the 
valiant : and he that ruletli his spirit, than he 
that taketh cities (Prov. xvi. 82) — and as a 
spiritual Priest, to offer spiritual sacrifices, ac- 
ceptable to God by Jesus Christ, that he may 
declare his virtues, who has called him into his 
marvellous light. (1 Pet. ii. 5, 9 ; Apoc. i. 6 ; 
Bom. xii. 1.) 



AFTER BAPTISM. 




316 CEREMONIES USED IN BAPTISM. 

2. Tlie cJirisom, or white cloth, is put upon 
the child, to signify the present purity of his 
soul, and that his life ought to be such, as to 
carry that robe unspotted to the tribunal of 
Christ. (Apoc. iii. 4.) 

3. A lighted candle is put into the hand of 
the child, or of the godfather, to signify that 
the child was sometimes darkness, but now 
light in our Lord, and ought to walk as a child 
of light, in cdl goodness, and justice, and truth. 
{Eph, v. 8.) 

4. His name is registered, not only for his 
future assurance of having been baptized, but 
likewise to signify, that he is enlisted in the 
Christian warfare, and that his name is writ- 
ten in the Book of Life, and that it ought to 
be his perpetual care, not to blot it out by 
sin. 

Lastly, The priest informs the godfather 
and godmother, that they have contracted an 
affinity (or spiritual kindred) with the child, 
and with its parents, such as is an impediment 
of marriage with any of them, for the time to 
come : — that it is their obligation to charge 
the parents to take care the child be not laid 
in bed with the mother or nurse, for the first 
year at least, because of the danger of being 
overlaid : — to keep the infant from fire and 



CEREMONIES USED IN BAPTISM. 317 



water, and other perils, to the age of seven 
years : — that it is their duty, then, to admonish 
the child, for whom they are sureties before 
God, to keep the solemn promises they made 
at the font in its name, and to teach, or cause 
it to be taught, the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, 
the Commandments, and other principles of 
faith and good life ; as also to take care that 
the child be brought with convenient speed, 
to be confirmed by the bishop. This is what 
they solemnly undertake, and must discharge 
if the child's parents neglect it, or be prevent- 
ed, by death or otherwise, from doing. 

These ceremonies, used in the solemn ad- 
ministration of baptism, do call upon all present 
thereat, to remember by how holy a mystery 
they were admitted into the number of God's 
children ; what were the promises they then 
made, and how great is their obligation of per- 
forming what they then promised. " There- 
fore, beloved, let us give thanks to God the 
Father, through his Son, in the Holy Ghost, 
who for his great charity, wherewith he loved 
us, has had compassion on us : and when we 
were dead in sins made us alive together in 
Christ, that in him we might be a new creature, 
and a new-fashioned work. Let us therefore 
cast off the old man with his acts, and having ob- 



318 THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION. 

tained a participation of Christ's generation, let 
us renounce the works of the flesh. Acknowl- 
edge, O Christian, thy dignity, and being made 
partaker of the Divine nature, do not thou re- 
turn to thy ancient baseness, by a degenerating 
conversation. Remember that, being freed 
from the power of darkness, thou art trans- 
lated into God's light and kingdom." (St. Leo, 
Serm. 1 de Nat. Bom.) 

THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION. 

A DIVINE harmony, marking the action of 



" the one all -mighty and all -wise hand, runs 
through the works of God in the order of na- 
ture, and the order of grace. The sacraments 
in the Church are designed to impart, to 
strengthen, and to perfect the supernatural or 
j spiritual life in the individual or in the entire 
body of believers, — just as in the material 
world, God has made certain and marvelous 
provision for the sustenance of bodily life. 

A fiery vapor and then water are held by 
the learned of modern as well as of the most 
ancient times to have been the beginning, un- 
der the Creator's action, of the visible universe 
known to us ; just as the ardent Spirit of Di- 
vine Love and the laver of regeneration are, 
in Christ's supernatural dispensation, the be- 
ginning of the new world created by him. 




THE SACRAMENT OP CONFIRMATION. 319 

There is a most beautiful analogy in the 
working of that human love which takes and 
adopts the stranger child as its own and gives 
him a place in the household and a legal rank 
and title before the community, and the won- 
ders of that uncreated love which makes of 
man God's adopted son, lifting him to a divine 
rank and making him with Christ, joint heir 
to the glories and bliss of eternity. Even 
where these two loves differ, the very limits 
of human affection give us an insight into the 
magnificent realities of Love all-powerful and 
infinite. 

Man adopts, every day, for his own, the 
child which is not his own, rears him, loves 
him utterly in life, leaves him in dying a full 
share of the inheritance common to the dying 
parent's own children. But there the power 
of created love stops. Much as you may love 
the stranger ycu have thus taken to your home 
and heart, you cannot transfuse your own 
blood into his veins, nor, in dying, bequeath 
him your own soul, your own spirit of gener- 
osity. 

God does, in carrying out the economy of 
his adoption, precisely what created love is 
powerless to do. He has found means to 
warm our hearts and stir our veins by the in- 



320 THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION. 

fusion of a blood which is divine, — being that 
of one truly man as well as truly God ; and 
that same Man-God was able to gratify his in- 
comprehensible love for the souls of his re- 
deemed brothers, by bequeathing to them his 
own Spirit, coequal and consubstantial God 
with himself and the Father, — to be the very 
soul of each Christian soul, lifting it to 
heights of generosity, charity, and holiness 
undreamed of before Christ, and, alas, so lit- 
tle thought of by the multitude of Christians. 

This Spirit of our adoption is given to us in 
baptism, as life is given to the animated in- 
fant. But, somewhat as in the years of in- 
fancy, the rational powers of the soul remain 
undeveloped ; the culture and experience of 
many years are necessary to unfold and per- 
fect the intellect, the memory, the sensibility, 
the will, — the reason, in one word. Even so 
does God appoint confirmation as a further 
stage in the growth of the soul regenerated in 
baptism, when the Holy Ghost shall bestow 
on the soul such an increase of energy, of light 
in the mind, and power in the will that the 
Christian may suddenly appear to have passed 
from spiritual infancy and childhood the full 
wisdom and maturity of Christ-like life. 

Pope Eugenius IV., in his decree on faith, 



THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION. 321 

thus briefly expresses the difference between 
baptism and confirmation : "We are spiritu- 
ally born anew in baptism ; in confirmation 
we are increased in grace and strengthened in 
the faith." The most approved theologians 
affirm that in the sacrament ' ' the fullness of 
the Holy Ghost is given, to enable the soul to 
believe with firmness, and to confess the faith 
with intrepidity." 

The Creator Spirit brings to the soul in 
baptism besides the priceless boon of regener- 
ation and the divine adoption, the extraordi- 
nary facilities bestowed on mind and will for 
knowing the things of God and acting up to 
that knowledge, which are called the " in- 
fused habits " of the intellectual and moral 
virtues. 

That is to say, that He who created the soul 
spares it, in what concerns divine truth and 
the practice of supernatural virtue, the slow 
and laborious process by which men learn a 
science, or master some art or craft. He can 
in an instant bestow on the mind the knowl- 
edge which is only acquired in years, and on 
the will, the readiness and ease to perform 
acts of virtue which are usually the result of 
long habits of victory over nature and one's 
most powerful inclinations. 
21 



322 THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION. 

These divinely added facilities or " infused 
habits/' remain in the soul of the baptized 
child till it attains the use of reason, and then 
enable it wonderfully to learn the things of 
God and to advance easily in the practice of 
all goodness. Happy is it for the child, when 
truly Christian parents are at hand to as- 
sist the divine Spirit in this vitally important 
work of cultivating and perfecting both mind 
and heart from the very dawn of reason ! 

In persons who receive baptism in an adult 
age, the precious treasures of light and 
strength are there ready for immediate use 
from the first moment of their regeneration. 
Happy they, if from that hour they apply 
themselves to second the labor of the Mighty 
Spirit who is ready to lead them onward to 
such heights of holiness ! We are never to 
forget that just as steady and persevering 
practice increases, by its every act, the power to 
conquer a difficulty and to acquire a new de- 
gree of perfection, so our faithful correspond- 
ence to every impulse of the Holy Spirit 
makes him bestow fresh light on our minds 
and new strength on our hearts. If we only 
knew what God would do with us in return 
for the right use of his own gifts ! 

In confirmation we receive more than the 



THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION. 323 



power implied in the infused habits of the 
theological and moral virtues. This extraor- 
dinary complement of perfection to the facul- 
ties of the soul is comprised in "the seven 
gifts of the Holy Ghost." This new degree 
of power and practical energy superadded to 
mind and heart by Him who made them, is 
intended to render the soul most docile to 
every impulse of his Spirit . In the habitual 
exercise of virtues acquired or infused, God, 
indeed, prompts and aids the soul to make use 
of her powers ; but it is the soul which puts 
forth her own energy, though mightily as- 
sisted by grace. Under the active energy of 
the Gifts, the soul is rather carried forward 
by the Divine Spirit within her, not passively, 
but like a living and free instrument, which 
puts all its energies willingly in the Divine 
hand. Thus we can understand what St. Paul 
says of the perfect Christian: "Whosoever 
are led by the spirit of God, they are the 
sons of God." {Romans viii. 14.) " Let them 
understand aright," says St. Augustine, "that 
they are led by the Spirit of God, in order 
that they may do what they ought to do : and, 
when they have done it, let them return thanks 
to the divine Guide, who has impelled them to 
do it. Indeed, they are led and impelled by 



324 THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION. 

him to act, not that they may remain passive 
themselves and do nothing, — for, to induce 
them to act they are shown what they ought 
to do ; but when they have done what was 
shown them as they ought, that is, with the 
love and delight of righteousness, they may 
rejoice that God vouchsafed them the sweet- 
ness which enabled the soil of their heart to 
bring forth its fruit." (Be Correptione et 
Gratia, c. ii.) 

This sevenfold gift of that Spirit, who is 
the source of all strength and perfection, is 
mentioned in Isaias xi. 2, 3 : " And the spirit 
of the Lord shall rest upon him : the spirit of 
wisdom and of understanding ; the spirit of 
counsel and of fortitude ; the spirit of knowl- 
edge and of godliness ; and he shall be filled 
with the spirit of the fear of the Lord." The 
gift of wisdom fills the mind with a light en- 
abling it to measure and judge all things in 
view of its eternal destinies ; the gift of un- 
derstanding enables the mind to penetrate to 
an extraordinary degree the depths of the di- 
vine mysteries, and to grasp the whole circuit 
of revealed truth ; the gift of counsel enlight- 
ens the soul in all doubt and perplexity, en- 
abling it to see and embrace what is most 
conducive to salvation ; the gift of fortitude 



CEREMONIES OF CONFIRMATION. 325 

not only supposes the heroic courage neces- 
sary to overcome every temptation and ob- 
stacle, but the persevering and invincible spi- 
rit which no length of toil or suffering can 
appal or cast down ; the gift of knowledge is 
akin to that of understanding and counsel, in 
this, that it enables the soul to know instinc- 
tively all the means which are the surest and 
most efficacious in raising her to perfection 
and bringing her nearest to God, as the bee, 
leagues away from the hive, rises laden with 
honey above field and forest, and instinctive- 
ly flies straight to its home ; the godliness, 
which fills the soul with instinctive delight in 
undertaking and accomplishing the most he- 
roic things for the divine honor and service ; 
the gift of fear, which is the instinctive and 
enlightened apprehension of doing or suffering 
anything to be done, that is offensive and dis- 
pleasing to that Infinite Majesty, whose good- 
ness, greatness, holiness, and justice are so 
vividly impressed on the soul. 

THE CEREMONIES USED IN CONFIRMATION. 

1. HP HE bishop invokes the Holy Ghost upon 
A those that are to be confirmed, to the 
end their hearts may be prepared to receive the 
virtue of the Holy Ghost coming upon them,* 
* Acts i. 8. 



326 CEREMONIES OF CONFIRMATION. 

signified by the holy chrism (a compound of 
oil and balm, blessed by a bishop,) wherewith 
they are to be anointed. 

2. The bishop anoints the forehead of the 
person he confirms with holy chrism, in the 
form of a cross, to signify, that he is not to be 
ashamed to confess the name of Christ, derived 
from chrism, nor to glory in anything, save 
only in the cross of Christ, that is, in Christ 
crucified, to the Jews a scandal, to the Gentiles, 
foolishness ; but unto us ncisdom from God, 
and justice, and sanctification, and redemption. 
{Gal. vi. 14 ; 1 Cor. i. 23, 30.) 

3. The bishop gives the party confirmed a 
light blow on the cheek, to make him sensible, 
that for Christ he is to endure patiently, not 
only threats, but also blows, and all other in- 
juries whatever ; and that to this effect he 
has received special grace, by the force and 
efficacy of this sacrament. 

4. The bishop gives peace to the person con- 
firmed, to inform him, that peace (both tem- 
poral and eternal) is the happy fruit of Chris- 
tian patience ; and that both peace and patience 
are the fruits of the Holy Ghost,* received in 
confirmation. 

Lastly, the bishop prays, and gives his bene- 
* Gal. v. 22. 



CEREMONIES OF CONFIRMATION. 327 



diction, to signify, that prayer is the victori- 
ous weapon of Christ's soldiers, and the bless- 
ing of heaven, their invincible safeguard ; 
and that devout prayer is ever attended with 
Divine blessings, according to the axiom of 
St. Aug., saying, Our prayer ascends to God, 
and his mercy descends to us. 

Note here, 1. That a godfather is required 
in confirmation, not only as a witness to certify 
that the person offered to the bishop is suffi- 
ciently instructed in faith, but also as a tutor, 
by whose instruction the party confirmed may 
be informed of the best way of engaging with 
his enemy, and being victorious over him ; 
and likewise by his charity reproved, if he 
abandons the interest of Christ and takes part 
with his enemies. And therefore no one is 
more proper for this undertaking, than the 
pastor or ghostly father of the person that is 
to be confirmed. 2. That the godfather con- 
tracts an affinity, or spiritual kindred, with 
the party confirmed, and with his (or her) pa- 
rents, such as is an impediment of the godfa- 
ther's marriage either with his goddaughter, 
or the mother of the person for whom he un- 
dertakes. 



328 CEREMONIES OF CONFIRMATION. 



IMMEDIATE PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMA- 



HERE this sacrament is administered in the 



' forenoon and after communion, the best 
preparation consists in the devout sentiments 
and prayers suggested below as a proper pre- 
paration for holv communion. The God who 
comes to the soul in his eucharistic gift,, is the 
same Jesus who sent down his Spirit, the Par- 
aclete, the Comforter, on the apostles and dis- 
ciples after his ascension into heaven. Rest 
assured that he desires to crown the gift of 
himself in communion by the gift of his Holy 
Spirit in confirmation. While, therefore, you 
are still at the Master s feet after communion, 
be earnest in beseeching him to complete his 
most gracious purpose in your regard, by 
granting you a deep knowledge of the trea- 
sures bestowed in confirmation, a warm devo- 
tion toward the Holy Ghost ever present in 
the unsullied soul, and a most fervent desire 
to profit every day of your life by the Seven 
Gifts about to be conferred on you. 

Should the confirmation seiwice be held in 
the afternoon, or should you have abundant 
time for the purpose after Mass and commu- 
nion, then some such prayer as the following 



noN. 




CEREMONIES OF CONFIRMATION. 329 



will help the soul as an immediate prepara- 
tion : 

A PRAYER BEFORE CONFIRMATION. 

I HAVE been like the beggar raised 
from the dunghill, and placed in the 
King's house, clothed with royal ap- 
parel, and fed at the table of princes 
with the choicest food, — and remaining 
all the while unmindful of the lowliness 
of his origin, and the height to which 
he had been raised. 0 my God and 
my Father, how seldom, and how little 
have I thought, or cared to think, of 
thy unspeakable goodness to me ! How 
little have I reflected on the sublime 
honor conferred on me in baptism, or 
considered that my name was written in 
the Book of Life, and with the blood of 
thy Son, as joint-heir with him to all 
the glories of thy everlasting kingdom! 

Eaised to the rank of thy adopted 
child, cared for as such by thy holy 
angels, fed with the bread of angels, 
and given thy Holy Spirit to be the 



330 CEREMONIES OF CONFIRMATION. 

light, the guide, and the comfort of my 
life, have I felt myself honored by this 
elevation and by all thy unceasing care 
of me ? Has my life been that of one 
calling himself thy child ? Fathers, 
sometimes, in the excess of their love, 
have disguised themselves and gone to 
the extremity of their native land, to 
meet a child returning from exile after 
many years of absence and suffering. 
Yes, we have read of fathers, thus con- 
cealing their quality to wait upon the 
returning dear ones, to watch over them 
and render them a thousand services by 
the way, in order to win their love and 
gratitude more effectually, when they 
had reached home and cast their dis- 
guise away. 

0 Spirit proceeding from the Father 
and the Son, Spirit of light and truth 
and love, hast thou not concealed thy- 
self in order to be evermore the com- 
panion of our pilgrimage, to be near us, 
with us, within us, in order to en- 



CEREMONIES OF CONFIRMATION. 331 

lighten and comfort and strengthen us, 
to prompt ns to sentiments and aims 
and deeds worthy of true children of 
God ? And how we have been blind to 
thy presence, insensible to the privilege 
of possessing thee, and deaf to every 
inspiration of thine ! 

Oh, forgive me, my good God ! Spirit 
of my baptism, of my adoption, do not 
forsake me now. I wish to surrender 
to thee every power and faculty of soul 
and body, that the touch of thy sacred 
fire may renew and perfect all in my in- 
terior affections and my outward life. 

0 Spirit of strength and love, who 
didst enable the three Hebrew children 
of old to enter the flaming furnace ra- 
ther than deny the one true living God, 
I beseech thee to grant me such a 
knowledge and love of the Father, the 
Son, and of thee, that all creatures may 
seem of little account compared with 
thy unapproachable greatness and per- 
fection. 



332 CEREMONIES OF CONFIRMATION. 



LITANY OF THE HOLY GHOST. 

T ORD, have mercy on us. 

^ Christ, have mercy on us. 

0 Holy Spirit, who proceed est from the Fa- 
ther and the Son, have mercy on us. 

0 Spirit of the Lord, and God of Israel, have 
mercy on us. 

Spirit, mighty ruler of men, 

Spirit, who fillest the earth, 

Spirit, who hast all virtue, 

Spirit, Promise of the Father, most loving 
and most bounteous, 

Spirit, Gift of the most high God, 

Spirit, Ray of heavenly light, 

Spirit, Author of all good, 

Spirit, Source of living water, 

Spirit, consuming Fire, 

Spirit, burning Love, 

Spirit, interior unction of souls, 

Spirit of wisdom and understanding, 

Spirit of counsel and fortitude, 

Spirit of knowledge and godliness, 

Spirit of the fear of the Lord, 

Spirit of compunction and of penance, 

Spirit of grace and of prayer, 

Spirit of charity, peace, and joy, 

Spirit of patience, long-suffering, and 
meekness, 



CEKEMONIES OF CONFIRMATION. 333 



Spirit of sweetness, truth, union, and^ 
consolation, 

Spirit of modesty, continence, and chas- 
tity, 

Spirit of the adoption of the Sons of God, 
Spirit, who workest all good things in all 

men, fcj 
Spirit, who dividest thy gifts as thou wilt, 
Spirit, the unfailing source of every grace, 
O Holy Ghost, the Comforter, 
O Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, 
Who in the beginning didst move over 

the waters, 
By whose inspiration spake the holy men 

of God, 

Who art the governor and light of the 
Church, 

"Who art the principle of our regeneration 

and sanctification, 
Be merciful to us, 

Spare us, 0 Holy Spirit ! 
Be merciful to us, 

Hear us, 0 Holy Spirit ! 
From the spirit of error, 
From the unclean Spirit, 
From the spirit of blasphemy, 
From all obstinacy and despair, , ^ ^ 

From all presumption and opposition 

to the truth, J 



£5? 



334 CEREMONIES OF CONFIRMATION. 



From all wickedness and evil custom, 

From all that is hurtful to brotherly 
charity, 

From final impenitence, 

Through thy eternal procession from the 
Father and the Son, 

Through the invisible unction thou pour- 
est into souls, 

Through the fullness of grace whereby 
thou didst sanctify from the begin- 
ning the ever-blessed Virgin Mary, 

Through the overflowing abundance pour- 
ed on her when she became the Mo- 
ther of the Word Incarnate, 

Through thy coming down on Christ in 
the Jordan, 

Through the gifts shed on the Apostles 
at Pentecost, 

Through the unspeakable goodness which 
makes thee govern the Church, bind 
her in unity, preside over her deliber- 
ations, fortify her martyrs, enlighten 
her doctors, and call into being her 
religious orders, j 

We sinners, beseech thee to hear us. 

That thou wouldst renew the face of the earth, 
we beseech thee to hear us. 

That thou wouldst shed abroad thy light in 
our hearts, we beseech thee to hear us. 



CEREMONIES OF CONFIRMATION. 335 



That thou wonldst write on them thy law ^ 

of love and generosity, 
That thou wonldst teach us to prize thy 

Gifts, 

That thou wonldst make us to value thine 

every grace, 
That thou wouldst enlighten us by thy 

holy inspirations, 
That thou wouldst teach us to pray, and 

thyself pray within us, 
That we may walk in thy ways, and never 

fulfill the desires of the flesh. 
That no act of ours may ever sadden thee, 
That thou wouldst preserve all ranks in 

thy Church in the fervor which Com- 
eth from thee, 
That thou wouldst grant to the entire 

Christian people one heart and one 

mind, 

That thou wouldst give us the complete- 
ness of all virtue and the crown of all 
holiness, 

That thou wouldst graciously hear us, - 
O Spirit of God, deliver us ! 
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 

the world, pour forth on us thy Holy 

Spirit. 

0 Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 



336 CEREMONIES OF CONFIRMATION. 

the world, send forth to us the Spirit of 
the Father, promised to us. 
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 
the world, give us thy Good Spirit. 
V. Create in us a clean heart, 0 God. 
B. And renew a right spirit within us. 

Let us pray : Let the virtue of thy 
Holy Spirit, we beseech thee, 0 Lord, 
be ever with us mercifully cleansing our 
hearts from all stains, and protecting us 
against every enemy. Through Christ 
our Lord. Amen, 

This Litany, with the hymn Veni, Creator 
Spiritus, or the beautiful sequence, Veni, Sanc- 
te Spiritus, found elsewhere with their trans- 
lations, may most aptly serve for thanksgiving 
after confirmation. 

And, dear Christian soul, let us not close 
this page without most earnestly recommend- 
ing to you to cultivate a tender and constant 
devotion to that Divine Spirit who is the light 
and life and comfort of all souls in a state of 
grace. Love to say to him from the bottom 
of your heart, and frequently : 

Come, thou father of the poor, 
Come with treasures which endure ; 
Come, thou light of all that live ! 



CEREMONIES OF CONFIRMATION. 



337 



Thou of all consolers best, 
Visiting the troubled breast, 

Dost refreshing peace bestow. 
Thou in toil art comfort sweet ; 
Pleasant coolness in the heat ; 

Solace in the midst of woe. 

Note. — After receiving confirmation.— as after com- 
munion, — yon should collect yourself carefully, forget- 
ting the sights and sounds in the church, and place 
yourself, with all possible reverence, at the feet of the 
Divine Guest who comes to honor and enrich you. In 
communion, the sacramental presence passes rapidly, 
and we should hasten to obtain what we want before 
the brief audience is over. In confirmation the Holy 
Ghost comes to remain— O blissful thought, if our 
mind could only contemplate it seriously ! But it is, 
nevertheless, most befitting that we should greet him at 
his coming with ail the sentiments of adoration and 
love which we can command. "Hitherto you have not 
asked anything in my name : ask and you shall receive, 
that your joy may be full.* 1 (St. John xvi. 24.) " We are 
filled in the morning with thy mercy ; and we have re- 
joiced and are delighted all our days." (Psalm Ixxxix. 
14.) "I, I myself will comfort you.' 1 (Isaias li. 12.) 
"Confirm, O God, what thou hast wrought in us." 
{Psalm lxvii. 29.) "Now to him who is able to do all 
things more abundantly than we ask or understand, ac- 
cording to the power which worketh in us ; to Him be 
glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus, throughout all 
generations, world without end. Amen. 1 ' (Ephesians 
in. 20, 21.) 



22 



338 THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 



THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 

" npHEY came to Moses, and said : We have 
J- sinned, because we have spoken against 
the Lord and thee : pray that he may take 
away these serpents from us. And Moses 
prayed for the people. And the Lord said to 
him : Make a brazen serpent, and set it up for 
a sign : whosoever being struck shall look on 
it, shall live. Moses therefore made a brazen 
serpent, and set it up for a sign : which when 
they that were bitten looked upon, they were 
healed." (Numbers xxi. 7, 8, 9.) 

"As Moses lifted up the serpent in the 
desert, so must the Son of man be lifted up : 
that whosoever believeth in him may not 
perish, but may have life everlasting." (St. 
John iii. 14, 15.) 

"Look well on the wounds of Him who is 
hanging there, on the blood of the dying vic- 
tim, on the price paid by thy Redeemer, on 
the scars of that body destined to rise from 
the grave. His head is bent down to kiss 
thee, his heart laid open to love thee, his 
arms spread out to embrace thee, his whole 
body given up to redeem thee. Bethink thee 
well how mighty are all these things ; weigh 
them well in the balance of thy heart, that 



THE SACBAMENT OF PENANCE. 389 

so he may become wholly and immovably 
fixed in that heart, who for thee was wholly 
nailed to the cross." (St. Augustine, de Virg.) 

"O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, 
to our princes, and to our fathers that have 
sinned ; but to thee, the Lord our God, mercy 
and forgiveness, for we have departed from 
thee." (Daniel ix. 9.) 

The sacrament of penance is most truly 
the mystery and master - piece of Infinite 
Mercy. He, who so touchingly painted his 
incomprehensible tenderness toward sinners 
in their direst need under the traits of the 
Good Samaritan, has never failed from the 
beginning of the world to represent himself 
as ever present and anxious to pardon, to 
heal, to restore the guilty soul to the fullness 
of innocence and of that divine generosity 
which man forgiven owes to God. 

See how he bids Moses set up in the desert 
that striking figure of himself as he was one 
day to appear on Calvary, and how he prompts 
by his grace the guilty and serpent-bitten 
Israelites to seek a remedy: "We have 
sinned . . . : pray that he [the Lord] may 
take away these serpents from us." And 
lo ! lifted up on high in the midst of his 
people is the mysterious sign, pointing so 



340 THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 

unmistakably to the Crucified, with the mul- 
titude of the wounded and the guilty turn- 
ing their eyes on it from far and near. 

And ever since he was taken down from 
the cross on Calvary and laid all gory and 
mangled on the knees of his Blessed Mother, 
is it not most true that our Good Samaritan's 
chief labor along the road over which we 
sinners travel, generation after generation, 
is to come to every one of us as we lie stricken 
to death, fallen, helpless, and forsaken at the 
gates of hell? He comes to pour oil and 
wine into our festering wounds, to lift us up 
in his arms, near his heart, and secure to us 
the loving ministrations which shall restore 
us to life, and health, and the service of his 
Father. 

\Yhoever you are, who approach this great 
sacrament of mercy and forgiveness, remem- 
ber that your chief care should be to move 
every pulse of your heart to love of that God 
so good and so great, to bitter regret at hav- 
ing offended that awful Majesty before whom 
the pillars of heaven tremble, but who is 
toward you more tender and unfailing in his 
care, than the most devoted of mothers to her 
only child. It is not enough that the remem- 
brance of who and what he is, and of what 



CONTRITION FOR SINS. 



341 



you are and what you have done against this 
Supreme Goodness, should move you to shame, 
to grief, to indignation against yourself ; you 
must resolve to atone for your ingratitude, 
for the abuse of God's graces, for the offense 
committed against the Divine Majesty, by se- 
rious penalties taken on yourself, as well as 
by twofold and tenfold generosity in serving 
God. 

HOW TO EXCITE ONE'S SELF TO CONTRITION 
FOR SINS. 

1. pO^SIDER with yourself, calmly and 
^ seriously, in presence of God and your 
good angel, how many persons there are at 
this very moment suffering the pains of hell 
for mortal sins far less in number and inferior 
in heinousness to those of which you are con- 
> scious. Why has God punished them and 
spared you f 

Did he foresee that you would be penetrated 
with a greater sorrow, as soon as his grace 
had touched your heart? or that you would 
show greater generosity in punishing your- 
self, and serving him faithfully, after having 
been once forgiven ? 

How often have you been forgiven? . . . 
Where is the evidence of your sorrow ? . . . 



342 CONTRITION FOR SINS. 

Where are the solid and lasting fruits of 
amendment ? . . . Where is the generos- 
ity displayed in avenging on yourself the re- 
peated falling away from grace, so openly, per- 
haps, and so scandalously to others ? . . . 
Where the generosity in overcoming your 
own inclinations and habits, and in practicing 
the virtues required of you by your condition, 
as well as by due gratitude to your divine and 
most merciful Benefactor? . . . 

2. Consider, in the same presence, that 
among those who are eternally separated from 
God and the blissful society of Heaven, there 
are spirits who, like the fallen angels, only 
sinned once, and by that sin have lost God 
eternally ; and that there are so many others 
of the unbaptized, who were never guilty of 
actual mortal sin, and are nevertheless ex- 
cluded from that supernatural life into which 
they only can enter who have been regener- 
ated by baptism, or saved, before Christ's 
coming, by faith in him and by the divine 
ordinances holding the place of Christ's sac- 
rament. 

Why are they forever lost to heaven, while 
you here on earth waste your life, your op- 
portunities, and trample under foot graces, sac- 
raments, ordinances, commandments, and set 



CONTRITION FOR SINS. 343 

at naught the Divine Will in the pursuit 
of your own satisfaction ? . . . Ah ! if these 
souls had now the blessed liberty which you 
enjoy, with its lights, its means of glorifying 
God and sanctifying themselves ! . . . 

3. After having made these considerations 
in presence of God and his holy angels, and 
opened your heart to every sentiment which 
the Holy Spirit is ever ready to inspire ; then 
picture to yourself that you are kneeling on 
Calvary at the foot of the cross, with Christ 
agonized hanging above you, and do not rise 
from your knees, or allow anything around 
you to disturb your thoughts, until you have 
answered, in your inmost soul the following 
questions put to your crucified Lord : 

IjY Saviour! and didst thou, the God of 
ML glory, come to this shameful and most 
bitter death f cr love of me ! . . . From thy 
throne in heaven thou didst come down to 
the manger ; . . . from the manger to this 
cruel cross, and all this agony and woe and 
shame for me, . . . and for my sins ! 

Is this indeed so, 0 goodness, 0 mercy, O 
love unrequited and unknown to the children 
of men ? Oh ! I believe it. I adore thee, 
true God of true God, Son of the Eternal 



344 



CONTRITION FOR SINS. 



Father, Saviour of Israel, Redeemer of the 
world. . . . 

0 Love, 0 Love, to what excess hast thou 
not gone to save my soul and win niy 
love ? . . And what have I done with the 
heart and soul thou earnest to seek ? . . . I 
have given my soul to sin again and again ! 
... I have opened my heart to every love 
but the love of thee, 0 dearest and di- 
vinest Benefactor ! . . . 

What should I not have done to prove that 
I did know and believe that love of me had 
nailed thee to that wood, had pierced thy 
hands and feet, thy head and very heart ? 
. . . And yet, O Jesus patient and long 
suffering, what have I ever done that was 
worthy of thee? that might seem a return 
of thy incomparable love? . . . What have I 
done for thee ? . . . 

What am 1 now resolved to do ? . . . 
Oh ! to give up my whole self to thee, sweet 
Saviour, my soul and body, my whole mind 
and heart, my life from this day forth with 
every hope and fear. Am I not all thine, 
purchased, as I have been, at so dear a price ? 

And what am I not bound to do, if I would 
repay thy generosity, or satisfy the claims of 
thy justice ? 



ASK AID OF THE BLESSED MOTHER. 345 



LNTOKE THE AID OF THE BLESSED 
MOTHER. 

OMAEY Immaculate, Mother of Sor- 
rows and Mother of sinners, do not 
despise me, as I kneel here by the cross 
of thy dear Son. After his heart, 
what heart so merciful as thine, 0 most 
blessed one ? Whose bosom so easily 
touched with pity for the sinner as 
thine which bore his dear head in 
infancy, and pillowed it, all thorn- 
pierced and bloody when they took 
him down from that tree ? 

By the grief which then wrung that 
motherly heart of thine, 0 Mary, ref- 
uge of sinners, put me not away as I 
kneel at thy feet and behold that sacred 
body in thy embrace. By his love, who 
loved this soul of mine so utterly, pray 
to him now for me, and beseech him to 
grant me what I now ask here, heart- 
stricken and guilty : 

That in my inmost soul I may begin 



348 ADDRESS YOURSELF TO THE FATHER. 

to know and feel what sin is, and how 
grievous are mine own, and that I may 
hate them. 0 my Mother, and hate my- 
self for having committed them. 

That I may see, in the light of God's 
grace, what a monster I am in the 
world, having so bountiful a Creator 
and Master, so great and generous a 
Father, so divine a rank and such god- 
like obligations, — and yet so vile in my 
thoughts, my aims, my sentiments, my 
actions, my pleasures, pursuits, and 
whole life ; 

That I may have my eyes opened to 
see the vanity, the wickedness, the cor- 
ruption of this false world which sets 
up its own laws against the law of God, 
and its own maxims against the wisdom 
preached from the cross by thy cruci- 
fied. 

ADDRESS YOURSELF TO THE ETERNAL 
FATHER. 

HOW thou hast loved us, 0 Father, 0 
Infinite Majesty ! 0 charity above 



ADDRESS TOUHSELF TO THE FATHER. 347 



all thought and comprehension, to have 
given thine only one to such a death 
and for such a wretch as I am ! . . . 
My God, my God, take pity on this 
heart, so hardened and debased for sin 
that it cannot even grieve worthily at 
the feet of Jesus Christ crucified, and 
for its own wickedness and ingratitude ! 
. . . Let my cry go up to thee, 0 
Father ever merciful and compassion- 
ate ; grant me to know Jesus, and Jesus 
crucified, — to know thee, 0 Love un- 
created, who didst give up thy own Son 
to the cross for me, to know my sins 
and their hideousness in thy sight ! 
Touch my heart with grief at having 
displeased thee, 0 holiness, and despised 
thy will, and made vain all thy fatherly 
designs over my soul. Oh ! what have 
I done with this soul thou didst love so 
dearly ? 

With your soul filled with such sentiments 
as these, fear not to approach the confessional. 
Do everything while kneeling there as if you 



348 ADDRESS YOURSELF TO THE FATHER. 

were, all at once, permitted to enter the court 
of heaven and to kneel at the feet of Jesus 
Christ himself. We cannot too earnestly im- 
press on you to keep this in mind while you 
are making your confession. And, truly, the 
priest sits on his judgment seat as the repre- 
sentative of the Almighty Judge, and all hea- 
ven is attentive to the tale you tell. Speak 
freely, then : speak simply, plainly, briefly, 
and most reverently. Say what you would 
say of your own guilt were Christ seated visi- 
bly there. He is looking into your heart. 
Lay it open to him in the person of his minis- 
ter. And remember that all those to whom 
you accused yourself in beginning the Confi- 
teor are now pleading for you to the Mercy 
which so much desires to forgive. 

Say what your memory prompts and what 
weighs on your conscience ; and, when all is 
ended, be net concerned or troubled if any- 
thing has been forgotten. 

Let the thought of Jesus crucified accom- 
pany you to the confessional, let it sustain you 
there ; and when you have been absolved, part 
not from the nailed feet of the Good Shepherd 
without having heartly promised him to avoid 
what has proved to you a stumbling-block, to 
be generous in punishing and overcoming 



IN RELATION TO GOD. 



349 



yourself, and generous especially, in setting 
forthwith about performing acts of the virtues 
most needful to you. 

The following examination of conscience 
may be very serviceable in ordinary confes- 
sions : 

A method of Examination of Conscience, 
according to the three-fold duty we owe : 1. 
To God. 2. To our Neighbor. 3. To Our- 
selves. 

I. IN RELATION TO GOD. 

1. TT AVE you omitted morning cr evening 
" prayer, or neglected to make your daily 

examination of conscience ? Have you prayed 
negligently, and with willful distractions? — 

2. Have you spent your time, especially on 
Sundays and holidays, not in sluggishly lying 
in bed, or in any sort of idle entertainment, 
but in reading, praying, or other pious exer- 
cises ; and taken care that those under your 
charge have done the like, and not wanted the 
instructions necessary for their condition, nor 
time for prayer, or to prepare for the sacra- 
ments? — 3. Have you spoken irreverently of 
God, or holy things? Have you taken his 
name in vain or told untruths ? — 4. Have you 
omitted your duty through human respect, in- 
terest, compliance, etc.? — 5. Have you been 



350 IN RELATION TO YOUR NEIGHBOR. 

zealous for God's honor, for justice, virtue, 
and truth, and reproved such as act otherwise ? 
— 6. Have you resigned your will to God in 
troubles, necessities, sickness, etc.? Hate 
you faithfully resisted thoughts of infidelity, 
distrust, presumption, impurity, etc.? 

II. IN RELATION TO YOUR NEIGHBOR. 

1. TTAVE you disobeyed your superiors, mur- 
" mured against their commands, or spo- 
ken of them contemptuously? — 2. Have you 
been troubled, peevish, or impatient, when 
told of your faults, and not corrected them ? 
Have you scorned the good advice of others, 
or censured their proceedings ? — 3. Have you 
offended any one by injurious threatening 
words or actions ? — L Or lessened their repu- 
tation by any sort of detraction ; or in any 
matter of importance? — 5. Or spread any 
report, true or false, that exposed your 
neighbor to contempt, or made him under- 
valued? — 6. Have you, by carrying stories 
backward and forward, created discord and 
misunderstanding between neighbors ? — 7. 
Have you been froward or peevish toward 
any one in your carriage, speech, or con- 
versation ? — 8. Or taken pleasure to vex, mor- 
tify, or provoke them to swear, curse, or any 



IN RELATION TO YOURSELF. 351 



way offend God? — 9. Have you mocked or 
reproached them for their corporal or spiritual 
imperfections ? — 10. Have you been excessive 
in reprehending those under your care, or 
been wanting in giving them just reproof ? — 
11. Have you borne with their oversights and 
imperfections, and given them good counsel ? 
— 12. Have you been solicitous for such as 
are under your charge, and provided for their 
souls and bodies ? 

HI. IN RELATION TO YOURSELF. 

1. TT AVE you been obstinate in following 
A* your own will, or in defending your own 
opinion in things either indifferent, danger- 
ous, or scandalous ? — 2. Have you taken pleas- 
ure in hearing yourself praised, or yielded to 
thoughts of vanity? — 3. Have you indulged 
yourself in overmuch ease, or any way yielded 
to sensuality ? — 4. Has your conversation been 
edifying and moderate ; or have you been fro- 
ward, proud, or troublesome to others? — 5. 
Have you spent over-much time in play, or 
useless employments, and thereby omitted, or 
put off your devotions to unseasonable times ? 

If such as confess often, fall into any of the 
more grievous sins not here mentioned, their 
own memory will easily suggest them ; since 



352 CEREMOXIES USED Cs PENAHCE. 

it is impossible for a tender soul to forget any 
mortal oifense, which must, of necessity, af- 
flict her. 

THE CEREMONIES USED IX PEXANCE. 

1. /^\t~R Lord Jesus Christ, being about to as- 



" cend from earth to heaven, left priests 
his deputies, as presidents and judges, before 
whom all mortal sins should come, into which the 
faithful of Christ should fall ; to the end they 
might give sentence, according to their power 
of the keys, of remitting and retaining sins. 
Thus speaks the Council of Trent, Sess. 14, 
Cap. 5, conformably to Jo. xx. 23, and Matt. 
xvi. 19. And this is signified by the priest's 
sitting on the confession-seat in his surplice 
and stole, like a judge on his tribunal, in his 
official robes : the white surplice and purple 
stole being emblems of power to loose the 
penitent, and bind the impenitent sinner. 

2. At confession, the penitent kneels down 
at the priest's feet, with head uncovered, with 
countenance cast down toward the earth, in 
token of an humble and dejected mind ; and 
with hands stretched forth, and joined before 
his breast, in the posture of a guilty and sub- 
missive criminal, before his judge. 

3. In saying the Confiieor, he strikes his 




CEKEMONIES USED IN PENANCE. 353 



breast, at these words, My fault, etc., in testi- 
mony that, as his heart was the nnhappy 
sonrce of all his sins (for from the heart come 
forth evil thoughts, words, and deeds, Matt. xv. 
19), so now it is the seat of his sorrow and re- 
pentance, for Ubi dolor, ibi digitus, the finger 
naturally points out the part aggrieved 

4. The priest raises his hand over the head 
of the penitent, whom he absolves, in token 
of the power he has from Christ to reconcile 
sinners to God. (2 Cor. v. 18, etc. ) Since there- 
fore Christ's ministers do execute his office, it 
is to be thought, when they impose hands, 
that he, by them, exercises his power, and 
gives his grace ; for, the priest's hand is a liv- 
ing instrument of the Divine power and grace, 
consecrated to mystical uses, by a special 
unction, at his ordination. And, 

Lastly, His making the sign of the cross 
upon the penitent, whom he absolves, signi- 
fies, that this sacrament has all its virtue and 
efficacy from Christ's passion. 
23 



gnxtlxtx fMjw tmixxA a (&<w& (ttrnfmim 
ixm t\xc ty6x\i\n$$ of WmzvtibU 

ASPIKATIONS. 

Such as go to confession over-night, or 
otherwise have leisure, may use the following 
Aspirations, either before or after confession, 
with benefit to their souls: 

I. 11 Y Lord and my God, I sincerely acknowl- 
edge myself a vile and wretched sin- 
ner, unworthy to appear in thy presence ; but 
do thou have mercy on me, and save me. 

0 God, my sovereign good, how far have I 
wandered from thee by my sins ! How long 
have I dwelt at a distance from thee, in the 
region of misery, where I had quite lost my- 
self ! 

Most loving Father, I have sinned against 
heaven, and before thee, and am unworthy to 
be called thy child ; make me as one of thy 
servants, and may I for the future be ever 
faithful to thee. 

It truly grieves me, O my God, to have 
sinned, and so many times transgressed thy 
law ; but wash me now from my iniquity, 
and cleanse me from my sin. 

354 



ASPIRATIONS. 



355 



I detest my sins, 0 Lord, I abhor my wick- 
edness ; I confess my ingratitude, and seek 
refuge in thy mercy. 

From this moment I purpose never more to 
offend thee. Oh, let me suffer all kinds of pain 
and infamy ; nay, even death itself, rather 
than return to my former course of life, and 
live thy enemy. 

Loving Father, assist me by thy grace, that 
I may bring forth worthy fruits of penance, 
and not suffer my sins to go unpunished. 

I have wandered like a sheep that is gone 
astray ; but I hear thy sweet voice crying after 
me in the most affectionate manner imagina- 
ble, "Come, dear soul, thou hast gone after 
many lovers, but return to me, and I will re- 
ceive thee yet again." (Jer. iii.) 

II. Now I begin, 0 Lord, now I begin to 
live, not trusting in my own strength, or in 
the resolutions I make, but in the multitude 
of thy mercies. 

Perfect, 0 God, the work which thou hast now 
begun in me. Thou hast given me peace and 
understanding; but, wretched sinner that I am, 
how ungratefully have I abused all thy gifts! 
And yet now with all the tenderness of a loving 
Father, thou recallest me from sin, and res- 
cuest me from hell and everlasting damnation. 



356 



ASPIRATIONS. 



Alas ! my soul is full of anguish and con- 
fusion at the recollection of the many sins 
whereby I have offended thee, my merciful 
Redeemer, made myself a slave to the devil, 
and provoked thy anger. 

Oh, that I had never transgressed thy com- 
mandments nor fallen into such an abyss of 
misery and calamity ! Oh, that I had never 
sinned ! Happy those souls who have pre- 
served their innocence : Oh, that I had been so 
happy ! 

But now I am resolved, with the help of thy 
grace, to be more watchful over myself, to 
amend my failings, and fulfill thy law. Look 
down on me with thy eyes of mercy, 0 God, 
and blot out my sins. 

Forgive me what is past, and, through the 
bowels of thy infinite goodness, secure me by 
thy most efficacious grace against all my 
wonted failings for the time to come. 

Alas ! how slothful and careless have I 
hitherto been ! I have deferred my repent- 
ance, rejected thy helps, contemned thy visits, 
and been deaf to thy calls ; Lord, what shall 
I do? or what course shall I take? It grieves 
me from my heart that I have ever offended 
thee ; but do thou vouchsafe to have mercy 
on me, 0 sovereign Lord of my life. 



ASPIRATIONS. 



357 



Behold thou seest nothing good nor whole- 
some in my soul ; I am blind and miserable, 
and without thee, O God, I can do nothing. 

III. My sins surpass in number the sands 
of the sea, and I confess myself, 0 Lord, un- 
worthy of thy mercy ; but thy goodness is 
above all my offenses. 

Thou hast declared, 0 Lord, that there is 
joy in heaven for the conversion of a sinner : 
grant me, then, the grace of true repentance, 
and let heaven rejoice at my amendment. 

Thou wiliest not the death of a sinner, but 
that he be converted and live ; grant me then 
that spiritual life which I want ; for behold, 
0 Lord, I sincerely desire to live to thee. 

Thou didst come, 0 dear Redeemer, not to 
call the just, but sinners to repentance ; be- 
hold a most miserable sinner here before 
thee. Oh, draw him most powerfully to 
thee. 

Have mercy on me, 0 God, according to thy 
great mercy ; and according to the multitude 
of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquities. 
Sprinkle me with thy precious blood, and I 
shall be whiter than snow. Create in me a 
clean heart, and renew a right spirit within 
my bowels. 

Dear Redeemer of my soul, how long turn- 



358 



ASPIRATIONS. 



est thou thy face from me, and bringest no re- 
lief to my sorrows. 

Behold the prodigal child, nay, worse than 
the prodigal ; but do thou, 0 Father, vouch- 
safe to have compassion on me ! Clothe me 
with the robes of thy grace, and receive me 
into the arms of thy mercy. 

Let not thy precious blood, my dear Saviour, 
be shed for me in vain ; but may it now 
bring forth in me the fruit of sincere repent- 
ance, and open to me the way to life everlasting. 

IV. How great is thy goodness, 0 Lord, in 
having so long spared such a worthless ser- 
vant, and waited with so much patience for 
his amendment ! Ah, what return shall I 
make for thy infinite mercies ? Oh, let this 
mercy be added to the rest, that I may never 
more offend thee ; this single favor I ear- 
nestly beg of thee, 0 Lord, viz. : that I may for 
the future renounce my own way to follow thine. 

Come, Lord, take possession of my heart, 
and cast out from thence whatever thou 
knowest profanes or defiles this thy temple ; 
destroy and eradicate all that displeaseth thee ; 
and lay therein the foundation of a new life. 

I confess I have sinned ; but if thou wilt, 
thou canst make me whole. Heal, most lov- 
ing Father, this my soul. 



AT CONFESSION. 



359 



Oh, that I were free from all vice ! that I 
could regulate my senses, govern my thoughts, 
and moderate my affections. Oh, that I were 
truly composed and orderly, both within and 
without ! But when shall I be thus happy, 
when thus pure in thy sight ? Lord, I will 
labor and take pains to reform myself, and I 
beg thy assistance for this work ; but if I 
find not the good effect I desire, I will still 
persevere in my duty, and wait with patience 
and humility till thou shalt please to give a 
blessing to my endeavors. Help me, 0 Lord 
my God, and have compassion on my sinful 
soul. Amen. 

AT CONFESSION. 

Here you should reflect upon the measures 
which you ought to take for an entire amend- 
ment of your life, considering well what have 
been the occasions of your sins ; what cir- 
cumstances are apt to prove dangerous to you ; 
what precautions you ought to take against 
those dangers in future ; what pious exercises 
you ought to practice daily ; when, and how 
often, approach the Sacraments, etc. 

When you find yourself heartily sorry for 
having offended God, and fully determined 
for the time to come to amend your life, and 
avoid all mortal sins, and the immediate oc- 
casions of them ; then humbly approach the 
tribunal of Penance, and, kneeling by the 



360 



AT CONFESSION. 



priest, make the sign of the Cross, and ask 
his blessing, saying: " Father, bless me, for 
I have sinned." After receiving the blessing, 
say the Confiteor, to " me a maxima culpa, 
through my most grievous fault : " and then 
begin a plain, entire, and discreet confession 
of your sins, thus: "Since my last confes- 
sion, which was a week, a fortnight, or a 
month ago, I have [or I have not] complied 
with my penance, and I accuse myself that 
" avoiding superfluous accusations, or irre- 
levant matter, neither obscuring your offenses 
by ambiguous expressions, nor concealing any 
mortal sin, or any circumstance which either 
aggravates its heinousness, or changes its na- 
ture ; mention how often you have committed 
it, and fail not to state whether it be habitual. 
Having sincerely declared all you can remem- 
ber, conclude thus : " For these and all my 
other sins and imperfections, which I cannot 
call to mind, I am heartily sorry, purpose 
amendment for the future, and humbly ask 
pardon of God, and penance and absolution 
of you, my ghostly father." Then humbly 
bowing down finish the Confiteor, saying : 
" Therefore, I beseech thee," etc. 

This being concluded, you must listen at- 
tentively to the instructions of the priest, ac- 
cept with humility the penance he enjoins, 
and whilst he imparts absolution, renew your 
sorrow, making an act of contrition, or re- 
peating the following prayer : 



0 MERCIFUL God, as, at the words 
of thy Angel, the chains fell from 



PRAYERS AFTER CONFESSION. 361 



the feet of Saint Peter, and he was im- 
mediately restored to liberty, so grant, 
that by the words of this holy Sacra- 
ment, pronounced by the priest, the 
chains of my sins may be loosed, and 
all my offenses pardoned. Amen. 

0 God, be merciful to me a sinner. 

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on 
me. 

Thou, w r ho sufferedst for me, have 
mercy on me. 

PRAYERS AFTER C0XFESSI0K. 

T KETUKNT thee thanks, 0 loving 
J- Father, for having admitted me into 
this Sacrament, wherein, suffering thy 
mercy to take place of thy justice, 
thou hast cast all my sins out of thy 
sight. Grant me now thy grace, 0 
Lord, that by sincere and perfect con- 
trition, my repentance may be like that 
of David and Peter, that my offenses 
being effectually remitted, I may here- 
after continue faithful in thy service. 



362 PRAYERS AFTER CONFESSION. 

But this I cannot do, unless with the 
aid of thy grace ; for without it my 
soul will remain barren and dry, like 
earth without water. I am perfectly 
sensible of my own weakness and ina- 
bility to do anything that is good, or 
acceptable to thee. The only consola- 
tion and confidence I have is to raise 
up my eyes to my Jesus, to his tears 
and sufferings ; that thy justice being 
appeased thereby, thou mayest open to 
me the gates of mercy, and receive me 
into thy favor. Look down, therefore, 
on me with an eye of pity, and have 
compassion on my miseries, 0 meek 
and merciful Lord ! strike this hard 
and obdurate heart of mine, that it 
may burst forth into a fountain of heal- 
ing waters — the waters of sincere con- 
trition wherewith my soul may be 
cleansed and purified. Perfect the 
work thou hast begun in me, for I am 
thy creature, and grant that the confes- 
sion I have made may be acceptable in 



PRAYERS AFTER CONFESSION. 363 



thy sight, and that whatever is want- 
ing toward its perfection through my 
weakness, may be supplied by thy in- 
finite goodness and mercy. Thy mercy 
therefore I implore, and through it I 
beg pardon of all my sins ; firmly pur- 
posing in thy presence to avoid every- 
thing that may be displeasing to thee, 
and to apply myself with all diligence 
to the practice of virtues. I hope thou 
wilt not refuse me thy assistance, since 
thou, 0 Lord, hast promised never to 
forsake those that trust in thee. Per- 
mit my heart to be no longer hurried 
away by the follies of this life, nor to 
experience my own weakness in my 
wonted relapses. It is high time I 
should be converted from my evil ways, 
forsake my errors, and amend my fail- 
ings ; since hitherto, alas ! so many 
days and years have elapsed in good 
purposes, but with very little improve- 
ment of my soul. Command, there- 
fore, 0 sovereign Lord, my rebellious 



364 PRAYERS AFTER CONFESSION. 

heart, and force it to a compliance 
with thy law. Break all my passions, 
rule my affections, direct my desires, 
strengthen my good endeavors, and give 
ear now to thy unworthy servant. Let 
not my wickedness make thee forget thy 
goodness ; for though my sins cry aloud 
for justice, yet thou still hast mercy, 
whereby thou canst save, and once 
more receive me into thy favor, my 
God, my Lord, and all my hope, who 
lives t and reignest forever and ever. 

0 God of mercy, having now, through 
thy gracious goodness, disburdened my 
conscience of the guilt wherewith it 
was oppressed, and in the humblest 
manner I was able, discovered all the 
sins I could recollect, to thy minister, 
my ghostly father, I most humbly be- 
seech thee to accept this confession, 
and forgive me all my trespasses, as 
well those I have forgotten as those I 
have remembered. Grant me grace, 0 
Lord, to live more carefully hereafter, 



PRAYETJS AFTER CONFESSION. 365 

and to abstain from my former vices, 
which I utterly detest, firmly purposing 
never to be guilty of them any more. 
But especially, 0 most merciful and 
bountiful Saviour, enable me to with- 
stand those temptations with which I 
am most infested, and to avoid all occa- 
sions of offending thee for the future. 
If the just man fall seven times in the 
day, how much more reason have I to 
be jealous of myself, 0 Lord, and to 
fear that I shall not be steadfast in my 
resolutions, having, through my own 
frailty and vicious customs, increased 
the natural blindness and weakness in 
which I was born. Yet, 0 Lord, I 
firmly purpose, through thy merciful 
assistance, never to consent to any mor- 
tal sin, from which I humbly beseech 
thee to preserve me whilst I live ; and, 
as to my venial sins and imperfections, 
I resolve to strive against them, and 
hope, through thy goodness, at length 
to amend them. 



UR Father who art in heaven. . . . give 



^ us this day our super-substantial bread. " 
(St. Matthew vi. 9-11.) 

" Take ye and eat : this is my body." 
(Ibidem xxvi. 26.) 

" My flesh is meat indeed : and my blood is 
drink indeed. " (St. John vi. 56;) 

" Oh ! taste and see that the Lord is sweet : 
blessed is the man that hopeth in him ! " 
(Psalm xxxiii. 9.) 

"Let a man prove himself : and so let him 
eat of this bread and drink of this chalice. 
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, 
eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not 
discerning the body of the Lord. Therefore 
are there many infirm and weak among you 
and many sleep." (1 Corinthians xi. 28, 29, 
30.) 

' ' What is the good thing of him, and what 




366 



THE HOLY EUCHARIST. 



367 



is his beautiful thing, but the corn of the 
elect, and wine springing forth virgins ? " 
(Zacharias ix. 17.) 

"I have inebriated the weary soul : and I 
have filled every hungry soul." (Jeremias 
xxxi. 25. ) 

"Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine 
which I have mingled for you." (Proverbs 
ix. 5.) 

"Thou hast prepared a table before me, 
against them that afflict me. Thou hast 
anointed my head with oil : and my chalice 
which inebriateth me, how goodly is it ! 99 
(Psalms xx. 5.) 

"Elias looked and behold there was at his 
head a hearth-cake. . . And he arose, and ate, 
and drank, and walked in the strength of 
that food unto the mount of God." (3 Kings 
xix. 6-8.) 

The most attentive students of the mys- 
teries of nature may well be filled with ad- 
miration of the marvelous economy by which 
the Infinite wisdom renews, sustains, and in- 
creases life and vigor in man's bodily frame. 
Continually, by day and by night, during sleep 
and repose, as in the midst of toil, the pure, 
healthful, life-bestowing blood is driven from 
its central repository in the heart, to every por- 



368 THE HOLY ETJCHAKIST. 

tion of our body ; and when the blood has de- 
posited in the tissues its invigorating and 
wholesome elements, it is impelled back again, 
impoverished and impure, to be renovated in 
lungs and heart, and thence driven once 
more on its life-giving circuit. Thus from 
the heart one system of vessels, the arteries, 
conveys the red vital blood to the furthest 
extremities, and another system, the veins, 
brings back the black impoverished blood to 
the lungs and the heart, there to undergo 
renovation. 

The blood of Christ is the life of the Church, 
which is his mystic body, and of which we 
are the members. It is the virtue of that 
blood which is communicated in all the sacra- 
ments. But in the two great sacraments of 
Penance and Eucharist, he evermore renews, 
sustains, increases the life of all the members, 
by a process bearing the most striking analogy 
to the twofold circulation just mentioned. 
The sacrament of Penance discharges the 
office of the venous system by which the im- 
poverished and impure currents of life in 
Christ's mystic body are brought back to the 
lungs to be renovated by combustion and then 
returned to the heart ; while Holy Commu- 
nion seems to operate like the arterial system, 



THE HOLY EUCHARIST. 



369 



bearing the pure blood from the very source 
of life to restore the impaired health and 
vigor of the whole frame. 

Most important is it, after having received 
the grace of absolution, that the soul should 
cherish the sentiments of compunction, grati- 
tude, and fervor brought away from the con- 
fessional. Indeed this same spirit of com- 
punction — bitter, loving regret at having 
offended the Infinite Goodness — should be 
treasured through life : it is like a rare and 
most costly essence or perfume, that should 
be preserved in our heart of hearts, and kept 
jealously there, lest it be wasted on the at- 
mosphere around us. For the immense ma- 
jority of souls advancing steadily in the ways 
of God, and favored with special graces, no- 
thing is more salutary or profitable than this 
habit of compunction, — the keeping open in 
the heart's depths of this spring of bitter- 
sweet regret, by frequent acts of contrition. 
They are like frequent showers falling on a 
parched soil and keeping it ever green and 
fruitful. 

The eliciting of these acts becomes easy to 
one by recalling such sentiments as those 
formed at the feet of our Crucified Lord when 
preparing for confession, as at page 341. Xo 
24 



3T0 



THE HOLY EUCHAHIST. 



matter how God may visit tlie soul with sweet 
sentiments of love, or gratitude, or generos- 
ity, either during communion or before it, the 
bitter recollection of our base ingratitude 
toward the infinite Goodness, and of our 
having offended so high a Majesty, must al- 
ways temper the sweetness of the most deli- 
cious emotions. 

So much for the general disposition of the 
pious soul during the interval between con- 
fession and communion. We now come to 
the point of the most practical importance, — 
the way in which we have to entertain our 
adorable Guest at communion itself, and dur- 
ing the all-too-brief space that his sacramental 
presence within us lasts. 

"My flesh is meat indeed," he assures us 
himself ; and then there is the invitation of 
the Holy Spirit : "Oh ! taste and see that the 
Lord is sweet. " 

For such as are most anxious to derive from 
this divine food the increase in perfect purity 
of soul, in horror of sin and sinful habits, 
in generosity in overcoming one's self, in ful- 
filling calmly, patiently, perfectly beneath 
the all-seeing eye every duty, no matter how 
painful, how honorable, or how lowly and ob- 
scure, there is this most consoling and soul- 



THE HOLY EUCHAKIST. 371 

inspiring truth about Holy Communion : The 
sacramental union with our Saviour God has 
for its aim and effect to make the Christian 
grow in Godlike strength, in supernatural 
goodness and greatness. 

Just as by wholesome natural food the 
whole natural man grows or receives increase 
of strength and vitality, the soul itself being 
benefited in its spiritual energies and opera- 
tions by the healthful state of the bodily or- 
gans ; even so, the divine Eucharist has for 
its immediate effect to restore and to in- 
crease the spiritual energies of man's soul, — 
and the soul being thus renovated, refreshed, 
invigorated in every one of its faculties, this 
superabundance of new life reacts on the 
bodily organs and senses and makes our entire 
corporeal frame a more willing and fit instru- 
ment for the joint operations of Christian 
virtue : body and soul become thereby more 
Christlike. 

But how does the Holy Eucharist act in 
thus feeding and renovating the sources of 
life in the soul? We know not. We can 
only judge by analogy. This analogy, how- 
ever, furnishes us with a wonderful glimpse 
into the secret ways of that great and hidden 
Power with whom alone lie the secrets of 



372 THE HOLY EUCHARIST. 

all life, in the visible and the invisible 
world. 

We know that every plant, from the cedar 
of Lebanon to the moss on the wall, has its 
proper food : its organs, most wonderfully 
made by that Wisdom which fits all things 
to their purposes, select that food, prepare it 
and distribute it, with a knowledge; a cer- 
tainty, a rapidity, that are beyond the com- 
prehension and sagacity of the mightiest hu- 
man intellect. How is the food thus myste- 
riously but most unerringly prepared for its 
purpose, conveyed to every portion of plant, 
or shrub, or giant tree ? or how is it deposited 
there, and incorporated to the living whole, 
producing healthful increase? God only 
knoweth ! And so in the animal world from 
the lowest organizations up to man, by what 
laws the proper food is selected, received, 
digested, and assimilated to the bodily frame, 
is a marvel and a mystery of which science 
may discourse understandingly within certain 
limits of its own observation ; but an unfath- 
omable mystery it remains in many respects, 
even within such limits, while beyond all is 
shrouded in impenetrable darkness. 

How our food becomes pure and life-giving 
blood, how that blood, laden with the ele- 



THE HOLY EUCHARIST. 373 

ments best adapted to strengthen and build up 
bone and muscle and brain and eye, with their 
infinitely delicate tissues, no man knoweth ; it 
is the secret of the Almighty and Life-Giver. 

It is that same Power which, in communion, 
seeks out with its all-knowing hand the secret 
springs of life in our soul, and creates them 
anew, or repairs, restores, and perfects every 
faculty. He comes to us in the form of food ; 
his " flesh is meat indeed," and his " blood is 
drink indeed." Let us leave it to him when 
he enters the house of our soul, to seek out 
what is wounded and needs healing, what 
is weak and must be strengthened, what is 
sound and good and can be made more and 
more perfect. When a physician of the most 
eminent skill comes to visit us in dangerous 
or in lingering illness, with what confidence 
and simplicity do we not expose to him our 
condition? When a limb is fractured and the 
surgeon is called to save it, our very help- 
lessness impels us to put ourselves in his 
hands, and the love of life makes us find 
the most heroic and painful remedies accept- 
able. 

What physician can be compared in skill 
and love and tenderness to Him who made us, 
who redeemed us, and now comes to us in His 



374 



THE HOLY EUCHAEIST. 



great sacrament, to create a new heart and 
soul within us if need be, and to fill to over- 
flowing every capacity thereof with health and 
strength and generosity ? 

There are those who, at the moment of Holy 
Communion, love to shut themselves up with 
that most blessed Body, which is their trea- 
sure, as if they were alone with it in the 
Sepulcher, far away from all the sights and 
sounds of the outside world. Only remem- 
bering that the Body given them in the sacra- 
ment is a true living body, that beneath the 
vails of death there lies the true living God 
as he ascended into heaven, they hasten to 
crave from the divine munificence all the 
treasures which their own poverty needs. 

It is most easy, — and oh! it is most sweet, — 
to kneel before that riven side, and to pour 
out one's heart in a short fervent act of faith 
and adoration. Then, beseech Him who came 
to so bitter a death for your sake, and who 
instituted this sacrament for the express 
purpose of applying to your soul all the 
fruits of that death, to lay his hand on your 
head, and to fill you with understanding ; . . . 
to touch your heart and to create it anew ; 
... to purify and reform every sense of 
body and of spirit, sight, hearing, touch and 



THE HOLY EUCHARIST. 375 

taste, our fancy and imagination. That di- 
vine hand can do it. He gave sight to the 
blind, and caused the deaf to hear, and the 
man lame from his birth to walk. He cleansed 
the leper by one word of his lips, and made 
straight the poor woman who for eighteen 
years was compelled to creep along the ground 
like a four-footed animal. The touch of the 
hem of his garment instantly cured the in- 
veterate and seemingly hopeless infirmity of 
another woman. And was it not he who 
raised to life the daughter of Jairus, and the 
widow's only son, and Lazarus whom he 
loved so well? Is he less powerful or less 
heedful of our wants at present ? 

When Elisseus lived, his embrace and his 
tearful prayer could restore to life the child 
of the Sunamite ; and even in death, the touch 
of his inanimate remains restored to life a 
corpse hastily cast into his sepulcher. 

O thou the true Elisaeus, Saviour God, as I 
kneel before thee here in Holy Communion, 
while thy most blessed Body is given to me 
for the health and life of my whole being, 
wilt thou not heal me, vivify me, restore me, 
and enable me to become a new man in 
thought and word and deed ? . . . 

We only open the vein to you, dear reader, 



376 THE HOLY EUCHARIST. 



just as a miner in our great Western gold or 
silver regions would lead a stranger to a spot 
where untold treasures lie buried, and bid him 
go to work and enrich himself forever. Even 
so, after long experience of the exhaustless 
wealth of grace which lies hoarded up for all 
our souls in this adorable sacrament, we can 
only bring you to the opened side of Christ, 
and press you to seek and find there for 
your utmost need. . . . Weigh well these 
words of St. Paul (Epfiesians iv. IT and fol- 
lowing) : ''This then I say and testify in the 
Lord,, that henceforward you walk not, as also 
the Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind, 
having their understanding darkened, being 
alienated from the life of God through the 
ignorance that is in them, because of the 
blindness of their heart. . . . But you have 
not so learned Christ, if so be that you have 
heard him, and been taught in him, as the 
truth is in Jesus; to put off, according to your 
former conversation, the old man who is cor- 
rupted. . .- . And be renewed in the spirit of 
your mind, and put on the new man, who, 
according to God, is created in justice, and 
holiness of truth." 



PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION. 



377 



PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION (TO BE 
SAID DURING MASS, ACCORDING TO 
THE DISPOSITION OP THE COMMUNI- 
CANT'S SOUL). 

An Act of Faith. 

0 JESUS ! true God and true Man, of 
the same substance, power, and 
majesty with thy eternal Father ; I be- 
lieve, with a firm faith, that thou art 
truly and really present in this adorable 
sacrament. I believe it firmly, because, 
to believe it, I desire no more than thy 
own words, " This is my body." (St. 
Lake xxii. 19.) ' I believe: 0 Lord, do 
thou increase my faith. Grant, 0 Jesus, 
that I may approach thee with such a 
profound sense of reverence and humil- 
ity as is due to thy infinite Majesty. 
Who am I, 0 God, that thou shouldst 
work such wonders for my sake ? Grant, 
0 Lord, that I be not altogether unwor- 
thy of them, and that I may now re- 



378 PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION. 




ceive thee with a pure heart, a clean 
conscience, and a sincere and lively 
faith. Pardon my sins, which have 
rendered me most unworthy to approach 
thee ; I detest them from the bottom of 
my heart, because they are displeasing 
to thee, my God ; I renounce them for- 
ever, and promise to be faithful to thee. 
Take courage, then, my soul, raise thy- 
self up — go and receive thy God, and 
with him all the favors he has prepared 
for thee in this divine sacrament. 

An Act of Hope, 

IN thee, sweet Jesus, I place all my 
hope, because thou alone art my 
salvation, my strength, my refuge, and 
the foundation of all my happiness ; and 
were it not for the. confidence I place in 
thy merits, and in the precious blood 
wherewith thou didst redeem me, I 
would not presume to partake of this 
banquet. Encouraged, therefore, by 
thy goodness, behold I come to thee as 



PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION. 379 

a poor and infirm sheep to its shepherd ; 
as one sick to its physician ; as a con- 
demned criminal to his powerful inter- 
cessor ; that, as the true shepherd of 
my soul, thou mayest strengthen me; 
as my physician, heal me ; and as my 
merciful advocate, deliver me from the 
sentence of sin and death. I. who am 
an abyss of nothing, invoke thee, who 
art the abyss of all goodness : for 
though my sins are innumerable and 
very grievous, yet they are but light and 
trivial when compared to thy bound- 
less mercy, and the infinite ransom of 
thy blood. It is in this mercy, then, 0 
Lord, that I put my trust ; and am 
pleased that I can find nothing in my- 
self wherein to hope, that so I may put 
my whole trust in thee. Have pity, 
therefore, on me, my Jesus, and save 
me, for thou forsakest none that place 
their hopes in thee. 



380 PRAYERS BEFORE COM^ITJNIO^. 



An Act of Charity. 

HOW strong was the force of thy love, 
my dear Eedeemer, when being 
about to depart out of this world to 
thy eternal Father, thou providedst for 
us this divine banquet, enriched with 
all heavenly sweetness ! Ah ! it was 
through the wonderful effects of thy 
divine goodness, that thou didst humble 
thyself to such an excess for our redemp- 
tion as to take upon thee the infirmity 
of our nature. And is it not through 
an infinite excess of thy love, that thou 
hast left us thy body and blood for the 
food and nourishment of our souls ; 
that, as thou didst unite thyself to our 
humanity, so we might here be made 
partakers of thy divinity ? In return 
for this thy infinite love, I desire to love 
thee, my Jesus, who art my only com- 
fort in this place of banishment, the 
only hope of my infirm soul, and hap- 
piness above all I can enjoy in this life. 



PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION. 381 



Make me love thee, my God, with my 
whole heart, with my whole soul, with 
all my mind, and all my strength ; and 
I wish, that as every moment is an 
increase of my life, so it may be also of 
my love toward thee. I desire, with 
all the affection and powers of my soul, 
that as the utmost thanks are due, so 
they may be returned to thee by all the 
faithful, for this divine food, which 
is our refreshment, support, strength, 
armor, and defense in all our miseries ; 
and that my love may never cease, in- 
flame my heart with the fire of heaven, 
that it may continue burning till nature 
and corruption being weakened and con- 
sumed, I may at length be transformed 
into thee. Come, 0 Lord ! hasten to 
release me once more from the bonds of 
sin, and prepare me for the blessings 
thou art now about to bestow on me. 



382 PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION. 

An Act of Desire. 
A S the wearied hart thirsts after the 



A fountains of water, so doth my soul 
pant after thee, my Saviour ! my Lord ! 
and my Jesus ! It ardently longs to 
drink of those fountains which thy love 
has opened for its comfort and relief. 
Tired, therefore, with my own eyil 
ways, I now return hungry and thirsty, 
crying out aloud, Have mercy on me, 0 
Son of God, and permit me to taste of 
thy banquet, that my soul may be re- 
freshed. Oh, that I had the affections of 
the heavenly spirits, that my soul might 
truly languish after thee, the fountain 
of life, of wisdom, and of eternal light, 
the impetuous torrent of celestial hap- 
piness ! Oh, that my soul did truly 
hunger after thee, the bread of angels, 
the food of blessed souls, and that all 
that is within me might be delighted 
with the taste of thy sweetness. I here 
despise all human consolations, that I 




PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION. 383 



may be comforted by thee, my only 
good, my God and Saviour, whom I 
love above all things, and desire to en- 
tertain within my breast with as much 
devotion and affection as is conceived 
by thy chosen servants, who now sit at 
thy table of celestial bliss. And how- 
ever I may have been hitherto wanting 
in my duty, or unjust to thee, in mis- 
placing my affections, I now forever 
renounce my folly and weakness, and 
from my heart request, that for the 
future, my joy, my relief, my treasure 
and rest, may be entirely centered in 
thee. May I never desire anything be- 
sides thee ; and may all things seem 
contemptible and as nothing without 
thee, 0 my God ! 

An Act of Thanksgiving. 

WHO am I, 0 God of infinite good- 
ness, that thou shouldst permit 
me to partake of this bread of angels ? 
How have I found such favor in thy 



384 PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION. 

sight, as to be the object of so unspeak- 
able a mercy ? Come, all ye angels and 
saints of God, and I will recount to you 
what great things our Lord has done 
for my soul. He has raised me out of 
the dust, and delivered me from the 
bonds of sin ; he has told me not to be 
dejected, for that he himself will be my 
support and my strength ; and though 
I have most unworthily forsaken him 
by my repeated follies, yet behold he 
calls me back again, and invites me to 
partake of the bread of life, that, as he 
made me, so I may ever live by him. 
What thanks can I give thee, 0 merci- 
ful Jesus, Saviour of the world ? What 
return shall I make thee for all thou 
hast done for my soul ? Were I to give 
all I have in acknowledgment of thy 
love, it would still be as nothing ; for 
thou, Lord, hast plentifully poured 
forth thyself upon me, and given me 
even all that thou art — thy body, thy 
blood, thy soul, thy divinity; and if, in 



PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION. 385 



thanksgiving for thy mercies, I were to 
lay before thee my body and soul, my 
life, liberty, and all I possess, what 
would they be when compared to the 
blessings thou hast here bestowed on 
me ? what to the debt I owe, which is 
in some kind equal to what I receive, 
infinite as thyself ? 0 God, how far is 
this above my means ? I have, however, 
one request to make (for thou art good 
and merciful, and knowest my poverty), 
that thou wouldst vouchsafe to accept 
this little offering I present thee in the 
sincerity of my heart, saying, with the 
Spouse in the Canticles: "My Beloved 
to me, and I to my Beloved/*' Thou 
hast mercifully given thyself to me, for 
the food of my soul ; and now behold 
I offer thee all that I have, all that I 
am, all that I possess ; to thee I make 
a full surrender of them ail, that being 
wholly thine, I may now no longer have 
any part in myself. 

25 



386 PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION. 



An Act of Fear. 

BEING now invited by thee, sweet 
Jesus, to come and partake of thy 
banquet, I could cheerfully obey thy 
call, and receive thee with all the love 
and affection of my soul, if the thought 
of so great a happiness did not make 
me tremble at the consciousness of 
my wickedness. My sins always up- 
braid me ; and when the voice of St. 
Paul strikes my ear : " He that eat- 
eth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and 
drinketh judgment to himself ; " must 
I not then tremble at the thoughts of 
approaching thy table ? Alas ! If I al- 
low myself but the liberty to think, I 
am confounded to consider that, having 
so often received this divine food, I 
should yet remain so frail and miserable, 
or that my heart should be so little 
fixed on thee as to be instantly wander- 
ing amongst vanity and folly, and seem 
more fond of the empty satisfaction of 



PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION. 387 



creatures than of thee, my only happi- 
ness. I have frequently resolved to 
amend, and as often intended to make 
a new covenant, receiving thy precious 
body as a pledge of my engagements ; 
and still where do I remain, hut in the 
midst of sin and vice, with my senses 
disordered, my tongue ungoverned, my 
affections depraved, and yet, 0 God, 
how little pains do I take to recover 
from this misery and return to thee, to 
whom I have so repeatedly promised to 
he faithful ! These thoughts encompass 
me, 0 Lord, on every side, and cause 
me to fear that what thou hast merci- 
fully ordained for my salvation, I should 
now receive to my judgment and con- 
demnation. What course then shall I 
steer in the midst of such difficulties ? 
Shall I fly from hefore thy face, like 
despairing Cain ? or with Adam hide 
myself, because, at the hearing of thy 
voice, I behold myself naked, and des- 
titute of all that is good ? No, my 



388 PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION. 

God> suffer me rather to fly to thee for 
succor and refuge, because I know thy 
mercy exceeds my misery, and thy 
goodness surpasses my wickedness. If 
I am defiled, infirm, and naked, thou 
canst cleanse, cure, and clothe me. To 
thee, therefore, I run, 0 my God, with 
fear and trembling, to take shelter un- 
der the wings of thy clemency, still 
hoping, that, notwithstanding my un- 
worthiness thou wilt pardon my iniqui- 
ties, heal my infirmities, and clothe me 
with thy grace. For this end, 0 Lord, 
disengage my heart from all that divides 
thee from me, or distracts me in my 
duty : for I own, that in all that tempts 
me, there is nothing but vanity and af- 
fliction of spirit. Oh, may my soul no 
longer relish any other sweetness than 
that of thy presence ; may it now no 
longer admire anything but the great- 
ness of thy infinite love, or look for con- 
tent in any other object but in thee 
alone, the God of my heart. 



PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION. 389 



An Act of Humility. 

0 IMMENSE, powerful, and incom- 
prehensible God, who am I, that 
thou should st vouchsafe thus to come 
to be my food, and to take thy habita- 
tion within my soul ? It is in this I 
conceive something of thy infinite good- 
ness and mercy, and my own miserable 
baseness and ingratitude. Thou art the 
King of kings, and sovereign Lord of 
the universe, at whose presence the 
earth trembles. Thou art the fountain 
of holiness, in whose sight the angels 
themselves are not pure. Thou art the 
bright sun of eternal day, who dwellest 
in light inaccessible. But as to myself, 
what am I, but a poor worm of the 
earth, subject to innumerable miseries, 
distracted with passions ; fond of van- 
ity ; defiled with sin ; encompassed with 
darkness ; busy about folly ; and care- 
less of eternity ? How then dare I ap- 
proach thee, who am thus miserable, 



390 PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION. 

and unprepared ? With what confi- 
dence can I appear before thee, most 
just Judge, in whose presence the very 
pillars of heaven tremble ? I, who by 
my sins have run astray from thee, 
though thou art present in every place ; 
I, who have polluted my soul, espoused 
to thee in baptism, with filth and wick- 
edness, abandoning thee, my Maker and 
Redeemer, for the love of vanity and 
deceitful pleasures. Thou hast created 
me from nothing, and, by thy grace, 
plentifully furnished me with the means 
of obtaining eternal happiness ; and how 
ill a return have I made for these bless- 
ings, by living in sin, and by not being 
solicitous to please thee, but rather to 
satisfy my own corrupt inclinations. 
Thou hast prepared for me a banquet of 
heavenly sweetness ; and I have longed 
after the flesh-pots of Egypt. Yet still, 
0 my God of infinite goodness, behold, 
I, who am nothing but dust, and ashes, 
presume to speak to thee. Receive, 



PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION. 391 



then, thy unworthy servant into the 
compassionate arms of thy mercy, since 
with so much love and solicitude thou 
hast labored for my conversion. I am 
now sensible, 0 my God, that without 
thee I am nothing, nor can do any- 
thing ; and that without the aid of thy 
grace, there is neither life nor salvation 
for me. Cast, therefore, all my sins 
out of thy sight, and with the tender- 
ness of a loving Father extend thy arms 
to receive an unworthy child, who re- 
turns to thee ; and let me effectually 
experience the truth of the prophet's 
words, "A sacrifice to God is an af- 
flicted spirit," and "a contrite and 
humbled heart thou wilt not despise." 

A PRAYER BEFORE RECEIVING. 

IT is with fear and trembling, 0 Jesus, 
that I approach thy banquet, having 
nothing to confide in but thy goodness 
and mercy, being of myself a sinner, 
destitute of all virtue. My soul and 



892 PPvAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION. 

body are defiled with many crimes ; my 
thoughts and tongue in disorder, and un- 
der uo restraint. In this wretched con- 
dition I hasten to thee, most compassion- 
ate physician, the fountain of all good- 
ness, that I may be healed. I fly under 
the wings of thy paternal protection, 
hoping thou wilt be my Saviour, though 
I dare not appear before thee as my 
judge. To thee I expose all my wounds, 
to thee I discover all my shame. My 
sins, I confess, are so innumerable and 
enormous as to make me despair, if 
thou didst not encourage me to hope in 
thy mercies, which are infinite. Look, 
therefore, on me with eyes of compas- 
sion, 0 Lord Jesus Christ, eternal 
King, God and Man, who wast crucified 
for the sins of men. Have mercy on 
me, thou inexhaustible fountain of 
goodness. Hail, saving Victim, offered 
on the cross for me and all mankind ! 
Hail, generous and precious blood, 
flowing from thy wounds, 0 Jesus, and 



INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE COMMUNION. 393 



washing away the sins of the world ! 
Bemember thy creature, 0 Lord, whom 
thou hast redeemed by thy death. I 
am truly sorry for my offenses, of which 
I am resolved to amend. Wash away, 
therefore, all my sins, and blot out my 
iniquities, that, purified in soul and 
body, I may worthily approach the 
Holy of Holies ; and grant that thy 
precious body and blood, which I now, 
though unworthy, am about to receive, 
may avail to a full discharge from the 
guilt of all my crimes, a victory over 
my evil thoughts, the beginning of a 
new life, the seed of good works, and a 
sure protection of soul and body against 
all the snares of my enemies. 

INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE COMMUNION. 

A T the time of communion, go up to the 
rail and take up the towel and hold it be- 
fore vou. Whilst the Clerk says the Confiteor, 
humbly confess your sins, and beg God's par- 
don for them. When the priest turns about to 
give the absolution, receive it with your head 



394 INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE COMMUNION. 

bowed down, as from the hand of the invisi- 
ble High Priest, whom you are going to re- 
ceive. 

When the priest holds up a particle of the 
Blessed Sacrament, with these words, Ecce 
Agnus Dei, etc. Behold the Lamb of God, 
"behold him who taketh away the sins of the 
world, humbly beg with a lively confidence in 
the merits of his death and passion, that he 
would take away your sins. 

When the priest repeats three times, Do- 
mine, non sum dignus, etc. Lord, 1 am not 
worthy thou shouldst enter under my roof; 
speak only the word and my soul shall be healed, 
say the same with him in your heart, and 
humble yourself exceedingly through the 
sense of your unworthiness and sins ; but let 
this be joined with a lively confidence in him, 
who can raise you up, and perfectly heal your 
soul by his word only. 

When the priest gives you the Blessed 
Sacrament, saying, The Body of our Lord Jesus 
Christ preserve thy soul to life everlasting, 
Amen, receive it with a lively faith, a pro- 
found humility, and a heart inflamed with 
love. At the time of your receiving, let your 
head be erect, your mouth opened moderately 
wide, and your tongue a little advanced, so as 



INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE COMMUNION. 395 

to rest upon your under lip, that the priest 
may conveniently convey the Blessed Sacra- 
ment into your mouth ; which being done, 
shut your mouth ; let the sacred host moisten 
a little upon your tongue, and then swallow it 
down as soon as you can, and afterward abstain 
a while from spitting. If the host should 
chance to stick to the roof of your mouth, be 
not disturbed ; neither must you put your 
finger into your mouth to remove it, but 
gently and quietly remove it with your tongue, 
and so convey it down ; then return to your 
place and endeavor to entertain, as well as 
you can, the guest whom you have received. 

Spend at least a quarter of an hour after 
communion in devotion suitable to that occa- 
sion. It would be a great abuse to turn your 
back immediately upon your Saviour, by going 
away, as some do, and thinking no more of 
what you have been doing. Particularly, I 
recommend three things to you after com- 
munion : 1st. To cast yourself down in spirit 
at the feet of your Lord, whom you have 
received ; to adore him, praise him, and give 
him thanks for coming to so unworthy a sin- 
ner ; and to invite all heaven and earth to 
join with you in praising and magnifying his 
holy name. 2dly. To make an offering of 



396 PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION. 



your heart and soul, and of jour whole 
being, to him, that you may henceforth loYe 
him and serve him forever. 8dly. To pre- 
sent him your petitions for all the graces 
that you stand in need of, and to make good 
use of this favorable opportunity to pray 
heartily for yourself, for your friends, and for 
the whole world. 



PRAYERS AFTER COMMIJOTO^ 

IRETUEN thee thanks, 0 eternal 
Father, for having, out of thy pure 
mercy, without any desert of mine, been 
pleased to feed my soul with the body 
and blood of thine only Son ; and be- 
seech thee, that this holy communion 
may not be to my condemnation, but 
aYailable to the effectual remission of 
all my sins. May it strengthen my 
faith ; encourage me in the practice of 
good works ; deliYer me from my vicious 
customs; remove from me all concu- 
piscence ; perfect me in charity, pa- 
tience, humility, obedience, and all 



PBAYERS AFTER COMMUNION. 397 



other virtues. May it secure me against 
all the snares of my enemies, visible and 
invisible ; prudently moderate my in- 
clinations, both carnal and spiritual ; 
closely unite me to thee, the only true 
God, and finally settle me in unchange- 
able bliss, by admitting me, though an 
unworthy sinner, to be a guest of that 
divine banquet, where thou, with the 
Son and the Holy Ghost, art the true 
light, eternal fullness, everlasting joy, 
and perfect happiness of all the saints : 
through the same Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

An Act of Praise and Adoration. 

IPEAISE and glorify thy blessed 
name, 0 my God, for the many 
favors thou hast noAV bestowed on me, 
and for all the blessings wherewith thou 
hast enriched my soul, after the many 
miseries and wants I have suffered, 
when, by my pleasures and passions, I 
had departed from thee ! Alas ! was 



398 PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION. 

not I most miserably blind to expect 
content and happiness, when by my 
folly, neglect, and indevotion, I removed 
myself at a distance from thee ? But 
such was thy goodness as to withdraw 
me from the precipice whither I was 
running, enlightening me with thy ray, 
and by the inspirations of thy grace 
inviting me to return. Thou hast par- 
doned all my sins ; and to crown all 
these favors, thou hast now come to visit 
me, that thou mightest forever abide in 
me, and I in thee. 0 my God, be thou 
forever blessed for all these infinite mer- 
cies. Bless the Lord, my soul, and let 
all that is within me praise and magnify 
his holy name. Bless the Lord, and see 
thou forget not the favors he has done 
thee. He has pardoned thee all thy 
offenses, and cured thy infirmities. He 
has preserved thee from death, and 
crowned thee with the effects of his 
bounty. He has satisfied thy hunger 
with good things, and replenished thee 



PRAYEKS AFTER COMMUNION. 399 



with all the blessings thou couldst de- 
sire. And oughtest not thou to resolve 
on a change of life, and, renewing thy 
forces, grow young like the eagle in his 
service ? Let thy grace, then, 0 Lord, 
be ever at hand to assist me ; for the 
experience of my own weakness makes 
me fearful ; and if thou support me 
not, I most certainly shall fall again. 
Be thou, therefore, my shield and de- 
fense. Grant me a firm and constant 
faith, and strengthen it not only with 
respect to this mystery, but all other 
Christian truths and principles of eter- 
nal life ; that by the help thereof, I 
may overcome all such difficulties as I 
may have to encounter in my journey 
to that state of bliss for which I was 
created ; as it is by such a faith those 
who, for my example, are gone before 
me, have triumphed over their enemies, 
done justice, and obtained thy pro- 
mises. 



400 PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION. 



Of Hope. 

I ADOBE thy infinite greatness, 0 
divine Majesty, who fillest both hea- 
ven and earth, and art adored by all the 
blessed spirits, angels, and saints, who 
without ceasing praise and cry out be- 
fore thee, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord 
God of Sabaoth." Is it possible thou 
shouldst condescend to visit the most 
unworthy of all thy servants, and desire 
to dwell within him ? If the heavens 
• — nay, the heaven of heavens, cannot 
contain thee, how much less this habi- 
tation which I have prepared for thy 
reception ? But thy goodness, 0 great 
God, knows well how to humble itself, 
when it is for our good. Thou knowest 
how to conceal the dazzling splendor of 
thy glory and condescend to our weak 
capacity, that so thou mayest communi- 
cate thyself to us the more freely. This 
thou didst not only at the time of thy 
adorable incarnation, when thou madest 



PRAYERS AFTER COMiTUXIO^. 401 



thyself like to us, the more forcibly to 
attract our lore to thee, but also when 
thou didst institute this mystery, where- 
in thou gayest thyself to us for the food 
and nourishment of our souls, the more 
closely to unite us to thyself, and make 
us aspire to that celestial banquet thou 
hast prepared for the blessed in heaven. 
0 God, grant me the grace so eagerly to 
long after this eternal banquet, that the 
desire of hereafter enjoying it may 
make me despise all the goods and plea- 
sures of this life, and labor incessantly 
to prepare myself till I am happily ad- 
mitted amongst thy guests. There is 
one resolution which I here make in thy 
presence, viz., to renounce all whatso- 
ever my irregular and corrupt affections 
incline me to ; for they often press me 
to forsake the ways of thy command- 
ments, and put me in danger of forfeit- 
ing my title to eternal happiness ; but, 
behold, I now desire to wean my heart 
from them entirely, that I may place 

26 



402 PRAYERS AFTER. COMMUNION. 

my whole love and confidence in thee 
alone. For this end, I am firmly re- 
solved to watch over 9II my actions, fly 
from sin, and avoid whatever may be 
displeasing to thee. I will labor to 
work out my salvation by observing thy 
precepts, and as I have resolved, so I 
hope to be faithful to thee ; but this re- 
solution I acknowledge myself unable 
to perform without the help of thy 
grace, which I most humbly implore. 
0 Jesus, save me ; conduct me through 
the ways of thy commandments, in 
which I now begin to walk, with cour- 
age and perseverance. Incline my 
heart to love thy divine truths ; divert 
my eyes from beholding vain objects ; 
enliven and strengthen me in the paths 
of virtue and good works, and attract 
me so powerfully to thyself that I may 
follow thee as far as heaven, where thou 
livest and reignest for all eternity. 



PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION. 403 



Of Love. 

OMY God, what return can I make 
for so signal a favor, pr what shall 
I clo to acknowledge it as much as it 
deserves ? Is it possible I should not 
continually love thee after such mani- 
fest proofs of thy love ? Thou hast 
loved me to such an excess as to lay 
dovni thy life for my sake, and shall I 
not make so small a return to such 
boundless love as to live only for thee ? 
Thou hast communicated thyself at 
present entirely to me, and shall not I 
from henceforth remain wholly thine ? 
Permit me not, 0 God, to be ungrate- 
ful, or insensible of thy love and my 
own salvation. I protest, therefore, 
in thy presence, that I will for the fu- 
ture be faithful to thee, and never de- 
part from thee by the least disobedience 
to thy law. I will never forget thy 
bounty, nor the favor thou hast done 
me in admitting me to partake of thy 



404 PRAYEHS AFTEK COMMUNION. 

mercy. I will love thee with my whole 
heart, for thou, 0 Lord, art my strength, 
my support, my refuge, and deliverer — 
nay, my God, and my all. What is 
there in heaven or on earth I should 
love in preference to thee, the G-od of 
my heart, the inheritance and only hap- 
piness I pretend to ? Of thee I have 
made choice, and nothing shall prevail 
on me to make me change. 

A3* OBLATION. 

HAT pledge can I give, 0 my Sa- 
viour, as an earnest of the love 
which I have now engaged to thee ? 
I have nothing worthy of thee, and if 
I had, I have nothing but what is thine 
on several accounts ; but such is thy 
goodness, as to be content to accept 
from us what is already thine. Where- 
fore, behold, I here offer to thee my 
body and soul, which are both now 
sanctified by the honor of thy divine 
presence. I consecrate them to thee 




PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION. 



405 



forever, since thou hast chosen them 
for thy temple ; my body to be contin- 
ually employed in thy service, and never 
more to become an instrument of sin ; 
my soul to know thee, to love thee, and 
to be evermore faithful to thee. Bless, 
0 Lord, the present I here make thee. 
" Bless, 0 Lord, this house." Permit 
not my body to be any more defiled 
with sensual delights, nor my soul by a 
will to commit any mortal sin ; for as I 
am now resolved to serve thee with body 
and soul, I will take pains to correct 
their evil inclinations. I will declare 
war against myself, renounce my wont- 
ed pleasures, my delights, my passions, 
my concupiscence, my anger, my pride, 
my self-love, my own will, and, lastly, 
whatever else may offend thee. 

A PRAYER FOR PERSEVERANCE. 

PKESERVE, 0 Lord, forever in my 
soul, the holy resolutions wherewith 
thou hast now inspired me, and grant 



406 PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION. 

me grace faithfully to put them in exe- 
cution. Without thy aid I can do 
nothing ; I therefore earnestly crave 
thy assistance, to conquer all the diffi- 
culties I may meet with in the way of 
my salvation. Eegard me with the 
eyes of mercy ; have compassion on my 
weakness ; and strengthen me daily 
with thy grace. 0 glorious Virgin, 
unite with me in giving thanks to thy 
beloved Son, who has restored me to 
his grace, and refreshed my soul with 
the banquet of his most precious body. 
Offer him all the grateful service thou 
didst him in this life, to supply the de- 
fects of my devotion ; and obtain of 
him that he depart not from me with- 
out leaving a large benediction behind 
him for my soul. Holy angels ! ye 
ministering spirits of God, behold the 
only Son of the eternal Father, whom 
you adored at his entrance into the 
world. Oh, become now petitioners in 
my behalf, that I may henceforth serve 



PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION. 407 



him with, the same spirit and truth as 
you did whilst he remained on earth, 
and with the same cheerfulness as you 
now do in his celestial kingdom. All 
ye men and women, saints of God, be- 
hold here within my breast your Lord, 
the origin and reward of all your virtu- 
ous actions, and let your prayers accom- 
pany mine to the throne ; that by his 
grace I may follow your steps in the ex- 
act performance of every duty, till, 
abounding in good works, I may at 
length be admitted into your society, 
and possess my Jesus for all eternity. 



EACIOUSLY hear all my prayers, 



wounds, and there protect me from all 
my enemies. Oh, let nothing ever sepa- 
rate me from thee. Call me to thee at 
the hour of my death, that, with thy 
saints, I may praise thee forever. And 
now, Lord Jesus, I go from thee for a 



THE CONCLUSION. 




Jesus ; hide me within thy 



408 PRAYER OF ST. LOYOLA. 

while, but I hope not without thee who 
art my comfort and the ultimate hap- 
piness of my soul. To thy love and 
protection I recommend myself, as well 
as my brethren, my relatives, my coun- 
try, my friends, and my enemies. Love 
us, 0 Lord, change our hearts, and 
transform us into thyself. May I be 
wholly employed in thee and for thee ; 
and may thy love be the end of all my 
thoughts, words, and actions, who livest 
and reignest, etc. 

We earnestly recommend the use of the 
following prayer of St. Ignatius Loyola, every 
petition and word of which is pregnant with 
such deep meaning : 

Anima Christi, sanctifica me. 
Corpus Christi, salva me. 
Sanguis Christi, inebria me. 
Aqua lateris Christi, lava me. 
Passio Christi, conforta me. 
0 bone Jesu, exaudi me : 
Intra vulnera tua absconde me ; 
Ne permittas me separari a te ; 



ASPIRATIONS AFTER COMMUNION. 409 

Ab hoste maligno defende me ; 

In hora mortis ineae yoca me, 

Et jube me venire ad te ; 

Ut cum Sanctis tuis laudem te 

In saecula saeculorum. Amen, 
Soul of Christ, sanctify me. 
Body of Christ, saye me. 
Blood of Christ, inebriate me. 
Water from the side of Christ, wash me. 
Passion of Christ, comfort me. 
0 good J esus, hear my prayer : 
Within thy wounds hide me ; 
Permit me not to be separated from 

thee ; 

Against the wicked enemy defend me ; 

At the hour of my death call me, 

And bid me come to thee ; 

That with thy saints I may praise thee, 

Forever and ever. Amen. 

The following Aspirations may not be un- 
seasonable for such as have an opportunity 
on the day of communion, if said with re- 
collection of spirit and attention. 

I. Enlighten the eyes of my soul, 0 Lord, 
with the rays of divine faith and wisdom, that 



410 ASPIRATIONS AFTER COMMUNION. 

I rnay ever look on thee as the way, the rule, 
and example of all my thoughts, words, and 
actions. 

What am I, Lord, or what claim can I have 
on thy bounty, that thou shouldst thus pursue 
me with thy blessing ? Yes, thou hast cre- 
ated me for thyself, and mayest thou alone be 
the rest and center of my soul. 

Good Jesus, my hope and only happiness, I 
here return thee thanks for all thy sufferings, 
and beg that I may ever find a place of refuge 
in thy sacred wounds against the assaults of 
all my enemies ; imprint the memory of them, 
I beseech thee, so deeply in my heart, that I 
may ever love thee, and in all my sufferings 
never forget what thou hast suffered for me. 

Take from me all self-love, and grant me a 
perfect love of thee, that I may hereafter be 
more devoted to thy service, and suffer noth- 
ing to prevent me from a faithful discharge of 
my duty. 

Oh, that I could ever remember thee, ever 
think of thee, and love thee only ! Oh, that my 
senses were ever shut against vain and sinful 
objects, and my mind freed from all fruitless 
solicitude, that I might ever abide in thee. 
From henceforth, I will, with the utmost dil- 
igence, seek thee, my only good ; my desires 



ASPIRATIONS AFTER COMMUNION. 411 

shall be fixed on thee alone, and all my ac- 
tions shall be directed to thy glory. 

I resign myself into thy hands, 0 God, de- 
siring that thy holy will may be done in and 
by me, both now and forever. Be thou my 
instructor, director, and helper on all occa- 
sions, that I may neither do, speak, think, 
nor desire anything but what is according to 
thy good will and pleasure. 

II. Grant thy servant, 0 Lord, understand- 
ing, that he may learn the way of thy com- 
mandments, and lay aside all interest but that 
of heaven. 

0 sweet Jesus, thou fountain of goodness, 
direct my steps in thy paths, and teach me to 
do thy will. Inspire me with courage to take 
up my cross and follow thee. Disengage my 
heart from all unprofitable cares and vain 
affections ; and though I dwell among crea- 
tures, yet mt.y I ever live in thee, and for 
thee. Grant me true fervor of spirit, and en- 
kindle in my breast the fire of divine love, 
that I. may find no rest but in thee. 

How sweet, 0 Lord, is thy spirit ! how 
pleasant to my ear are the words of thy 
mouth ! Oh, that I could ever be attentive to 
them, and fulfill thy law ! May I die to the 
world and all its concupiscences ; and let the 



412 ASPIRATIONS AFTER COMMTTHIOIT. 

greatness of thy love make all that is earthly 
appear to me as nothing. Protect me against 
my enemies, and in all danger come to my 
defense : make haste to help me, 0 God, and 
say to my sonl, I am thy health and salvation. 

Remember thou art my Father, and have 
compassion on my distressed soul : clothe it 
with all virtues, and feed it with thy grace ; 
for it belongs to a father to be careful of his 
child. 

As it is in thee I live, sweet Jesus, so it is 
in thee I desire to die ; and both living and 
dying I will ever profess that thou art good, 
and that thy mercy endureth forever. 

III. 0 sweetness of my life, and life of my 
soul, withdraw my heart and thoughts from 
all creatures, that they may find no rest but in 
thee ! 

My God. how long dost thou permit me to 
wander from thee i TThen wilt thou consume 
in me all that is corrupt and contrary to thy 
will? Draw me after thee, I beseech thee, 
that I may walk cheerfully in the way of thy 
precepts. Make me according to thine own 
heart, and let my soul be now thy habitation 
forever. 

My soul without thee is dry, like earth 
without water ; moisten it, I beseech thee, 



ASPIRATIONS AFTER COMMUNION. 413 

with the dew of heaven, and grant me thy 
blessing from the land of the living. Wound 
my heart with thy love, that it may relish no 
earthly objects, but entirely depend on thy 
will. 

Hail, dear Redeemer, whom I now desire to 
adore with the spirit and affection of thy elect ; 
to thy direction I commit all the motions of 
my soul. 

Ah ! when will the day of eternity appear, 
that, liberated from this prison of flesh, I may 
join with the saints in thy everlasting praise? 
O sweet light, inflame my heart with the fire 
of celestial charity, and let its divine flames 
consume my bowels. 

IV. Oh, that I could give thee, dear Lord, as 
much praise, glory, and honor as is given thee 
by the angels and blessed spirits in heaven ! 
But as this, in my present state of existence, 
is impossible, accept, at least, my desire and 
good will. Deliver me from everything that 
is contrary to thy will, and dispose my soul 
for thy greater glory. 

Into thy hands I surrender myself, 0 my 
Creator, and laying aside all private wishes, 
desire to depend on thee, not only as to the 
whole state of my body and soul, but also as 
to all the accidents and events thou mayest 



414 ASPIRATIONS AFTER COMMUNION. 

please to appoint for me, asking nothing more 
but that thy name may be glorified forever. 

If it be more for thy honor that I should 
suffer interior desolation, I accept it from thy 
hand, convinced that whatever I suffer in my 
soul, for love of thee, is for my good. 

O my God, how little art thou known, how 
little loved ! Come to me, dear Lord ! and if 
thou nowhere else findest rest, infuse thyself 
wholly into my soul. May the fire of thy love, 
O God, ever burn in my heart, and increase to 
such a flame as may consume not only the sac- 
rifice but the altar also. 

Let nothing be my comfort but thou, my 
Lord Jesus, nor anything afflict me but my 
sins and whatever is displeasing to thy divine 
Majesty. 

O blessed Jesus ! Life eternal ! by whom I 
live, and without whom I die, grant I may be 
united to thee ; that in the embraces of thy 
holy love and divine will, I may rest forever. 

When shall I behold thee, sweet Lord? 
When shall I appear before thy face ? When 
shall I see thee in the land of the living ? Till 
then I sigh and bewail my banishment, desir- 
ing to be dissolved, and be with thee. 



LITANY OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. 



LITANY OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. 

T ORD, have mercy upon us. 
Christ, have mercy upon us . 

Lord, have mercy upon us. 

God the Father, Creator of the world, ? 

God the Son, Redeemer of mankind, 

God the Holy Ghost, Perfector of the 
Elect, 

Sacred Trinity, three Persons in one 
God, 

Jesus, God and man, in two natures and 
one divine person, 

Jesus, our wonderful God, who for our 
sakes vouchsafest to subject thy Almighty 
Self to the power of man, by immediately 
descending upon our Altar, when the y 
Priest pronounces the words of consecra- 
tion, 

Jesus, our incomprehensible God, who 
though the heaven of heavens cannot 
contain thy immensity, yet vouchsafest 
personally to reside in our churches, and 
dwell amongst us in a small tabernacle, 

Jesus, our Sovereign King, who though 
thy throne above is continually sur- 
rounded by glorified ministering spirits, 
yet vouchsafest here in our most solemn^ 



416 LITANY OF THE BLESSED SACI?AMENT. 



processions to be accompanied by such 
mean attendants as ourselves, 

Jesus, our heavenly physician, who 
descendest from thy palace of immortal 
bliss to our houses of clay, to visit us on 
our sick beds, and give thyself to comfort 
our sorrows, 

Jesus, our glorious God, who sittest at 
the right hand of thy eternal Father, 
adored by innumerable angels, and en- 
compassed with the splendor of inacces- 
sible light, 

Jesus, our gracious God, who, condes- 
cending to the weakness of our nature, 
coverest thy glory under the familiar 
forms of bread and wine, and permittest 
thyself to be seen, touched, and tasted by 
wretched sinners, 

Jesus, our gracious God, who conceal- 
ing the awful brightness of thy Majesty 
under such low and humble vails, sweet- 
ly invitest us to approach thy person, lay 
open our miseries, and deliver our peti- 
tions into thy hands, 

Jesus, our gracious God, who, to com- 
municate thy divine nature to miserable 
sinners, humblest thyself, to descend into 
our breast, and by an inconceivable union, 
become one with us, 



LITANY OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. 



Jesus, the bread of life, that came down " 
from heaven, of which whoever eats shall 
live forever, 

Jesus, the heavenly manna, whose 
sweetness nourishes thy elect in the 
desert of this world, 

Jesus, the food of angels, whose deli- 
ciousness replenishes our hearts with 
celestial joys, 

Jesus, the lamb without spot, who art 
every day sacrificed, and yet always livest, 
every day eaten, and yet still remainest 
entire, 

Jesus, the good shepherd, who layest 
down thy life for thy sheep, and feedest 
them with thine own body, 

Jesus, who, in this august and vene- 
rable mystery, art thyself become the 
priest and sacrifice, 

Jesus, who, in this sacred memorial of 
thy death, hast abridged all thy wonders 
into one accumulative miracle, 

Jesus, who, in this admirable sacra- 
ment, hast contracted all thy blessings 
into one stupendous bounty, 

Jesus, who, by this blessed fruit of 
the tree of life, restorest us again to im- 
mortality, 
27 



418 LITANY OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. 



Jesus, who, by sanctifying the most 
familiar of thy creatures, dost inspire us 
with a pure desire of thee, and teachest 
us the right use of the rest, 

Jesus, who, by becoming our daily food 
in this life, preparest us to feed on thee y 
eternally in the next, 

Jesus, who, in this divine banquet, ^ 
givest us possession of thy grace here, 
and a secure pledge of our glory here- 
after, 

Have mercy, 0 Lord, and pardon our sins. 

Have mercy, O Lord, and hear our prayers, 

From presuming to measure the depth" 
of divine Omnipotence by the short line 
of human reason, 

From presuming to interpret the se- 
crets of thy will by the fallible rule of pri- 
vate judgment, 

From all distraction and irreverence in 
assisting at this awful sacrifice, y 

From neglecting to approach this holy 
table, and from coming to it negligently, 

From an unworthy and fruitless receiv- 
ing of this adorable sacrament, 

From all hardness of heart, and ingra- 
titude for so unspeakable a blessing, 

Through thy irresistible power, which J 



LITANY OF THE BLESSED SACKAMENT. 



changeth tlie course of nature as thou^ 
pleasest, 

Through, thy unsearchable wisdom, 
which disposeth all things in perfect 
order, 

Through thy infinite goodness in be- 
stowing thyself on us in this incompre- 
hensible mystery, ' 

Through thy blessed body broken for 
us on the cross, and really given to us in 
the holy communion, 

Through thy precious blood, shed for 
us on the cross, and substantially present 
in the chalice of benediction, 

We sinners, beseech thee, hear us. 

That we may always believe nothing" 
more reasonable than to submit reason to 
faith, 

That, by this sacred oblation, we may 
solemnly acknowledge thy infinite perfec- 
tions, and supreme dominion over all 
things, 

That, by this sacred oblation, we may 
humbly acknowledge our dependence on 
thee, and absolute subjection to the dis- 
posal of thy will, 

That we may eternally adore thy good- 
ness, who, standing in no need of us,^ 



420 LITANY OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. 



hast contrived such endearing motives to" 
make us love thee, and be happy, 

That we may thankfully comply with 
thy gracious desire of being united to us 
by a fervent desire of being united to 
thee, 

That before we approach this banquet 
of divine love, we may sincerely endea- 
vor to be reconciled to thee, and to be in 
perfect charity with all mankind, 

That, at the moment of receiving thy J 
sacred body, our souls may dissolve in I £ 
reverence and love, to attend on and en- j c 
tertain so glorious a guest, y < 

That, returning from this divine ban- « 
qiiet, we may collect all our thoughts * 
to praise thee, and immediately apply our < 
utmost endeavor to the amendment of * 
our lives, - c 

That, by this heavenly preservative, 
our hearts may be healed of their infir- 
mities, and strengthened against future 
relapses, 

That, as we adore thee here by faith, 
under these sacred vails, we may hereafter 
behold thee face to face, and eternally re- 
joice in thy presence, 



THE PRAYER. 



421 



Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 
the world, Spare us, 0 Lord. 

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 
the world, Hear us, 0 Lord. 

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 
the world, Have mercy on us. 

THE ANTIPHON. 

THE glorious King of heaven and earth, to 
show the richness of his bounty, hath pre- 
pared a solemn and splendid feast : and calls 
even the meanest of his subjects to sit down 
at his table by his gracious invitation : Come 
to me all ye that labor and are oppressed, 
and I will refresh you ; for my blood is drink 
indeed. 

V. Thou hast given us, 0 Lord, bread from 
heaven. Alleluia. 

B, Replenished with all sweetness and de- 
light. Alleluia. 

V. 0 Lord, hear my prayer. 

B. And let my cry come unto thee. 

THE PRAYER. 

OGOD, who in this sacrament hast 
left us a perpetual memorial of thy 
passion, grant us, we beseech thee, so to 



422 



THE PRAYER. 



reverence these sacred mysteries of thy 
body and blood, that we may continu- 
ally perceive in our souls the fruits of 
thy redemption ; who, with the Father 
and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest 
world without end. Amen. 



©to gmmtnt at Patfittttrtttj. 

" T ET women be subject to their husbands 
as to the Lord : 

" For the husband is the head of the wife, as 
Christ is the head of the Church. 

4 'Therefore, as the Church is subject to 
Christ so also let the wives be to their hus- 
bands in all things, 

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also 
loved the Church, and delivered himself up 
for it, 

" That he might sanctify it. 

" So also ought men to love their wives as 
their own bodies. He that loveth his wife 
loveth himself. 

" For no man ever hated his own flesh, but 
nourisheth it, as also Christ doth the Church : 

" For we are members of his body, of his 
flesh, and of his bones. 

"For this cause shall a man leave his father 
and mother and shall adhere to his wife : and 
they shall be two in one flesh. 

" This is a great sackament : but I speak 
in Christ, and in the Church." (Fphesians 
v. 22, 33.) 

423 



424 THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY. 

"The Lord God cast a deep sleep upon 
Adam : and when he was fast asleep, he took 
one of his ribs, and filled up flesh for it. 

" And the Lord God built the rib which he 
took from Adam into a woman : and brought 
her to Adam. 

" And Adam said : This is bone of my bones, 
and flesh of my flesh : she shall be called 
Woman, because she was taken out of man. 

"Wherefore, a man shall leave father and 
mother, and shall cleave to his wife : and 
they shall be two in one flesh." {Genesis 
ii. 21, 22, 23, 24.) 

The words which the author of Genesis put 
into the mouth of Adam, Christ (Mattliew xix. 
4, 5, 6) attributes to God himself, "He who 
made man from the beginning." The words 
were, thus, at once both an ordinance and a 
prophecy : a divine ordinance establishing the 
domestic society from which the human race 
was to spring, and enjoining the close and 
mysterious union of hearts on which the chief 
happiness of mankind was evermore to de- 
pend ; and a prophecy in this, that the preter- 
natural love which enables a man to "leave 
father and mother," in order to "cleave to 
his wife," so that their mutual love shall 
seem to make them one undivided living 



THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY. 425 

thing, "one flesh," foreshadows the love of 
Christ for his Church, and the close, blissful, 
and immortal union thence resulting. 

Well might St. Paul comparing the crea- 
tion of Eve with that of the Church, and the 
mightier love of the Second Adam for his 
Bride, than that of the First Adam for our 
common mother, exclaim, as in a kind of 
rapture : " This is a great sacrament." 

Hear St. Jerome: "The first of all proph- 
ets, Adam," he says, "prophesied this of 
Christ, who left God his Father, and his 
mother the heavenly Jerusalem, coming down 
on earth for the sake of his body (the Church), 
which he formed from out his own side, and 
for the love of which the Word was made 
flesh." 

The mighty love which brought the Divine 
Bridegroom to the manger and the cross in 
order to win himself a spotless and deathless 
Bride, and the incomparable love which has 
bound her to him for well nigh nineteen cen- 
turies of trial, labor, and martyrdom, as well 
as the constancy with which he watches over 
her and her interests through all the changes 
of time, such is the Exemplar of the union of 
hearts which Matrimony blesses and of the 
mutual devotion which its grace inspires. 



426 THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY. 

The Church knows no law save the law of 
Christ, seeks no interest but his and those of 
his children ; even so must it be in the Christ- 
ian hoine, the wife must be devoted to the sole 
honor, happiness, and interest of her hus- 
band. His glory must be her glory, his name 
her name, his life her life : they must be one 
heart and one soul, and forever. And great, 
supernatural as must be this love of the wife 
for her husband and home, greater still must 
be the love of the true Christian husband for 
his wife. For, the love of the Church for her 
divine Head, intense, constant, unwearied, and 
undying as it is, is far surpassed by his self- 
sacrificing love. And it is said: "Husband, 
love your wives, as Christ also loved the 
Church, and delivered himself up for it, that 
he might sanctify it." 

It is impossible to exaggerate the greatness 
and holiness of this sacrament, and to esti- 
mate properly the vast treasury of graces 
which the Father and Creator of the human 
race attaches to this sacrament, and keeps in 
store through life for those who receive it 
with the dispositions which its Author en- 
joins on the recipients. 

The sacrament of Matrimony approached 
with the reverence and the awe, so divinely 



THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY. 427 



described in the book of Tobias, and rendered 
still more incumbent on the children of the 
New Law, is one of the chief sources, we had 
almost said the chief source, of the happiness 
and prosperity of Christian families ; whereas 
this same sacrament, approached without fear 
of God, received irreverently, with the incom- 
prehensible and unpardonable ignorance, with 
which most people approach it, becomes a 
chief cause of domestic unhappiness, sin, 
scandal, and ruin. 

It is all the more important for young peo- 
ple to prepare themselves for this great sacra- 
ment by great purity of life, fervent prayer, 
and generous almsgiving, — that the union 
which they contract is intended to be a life- 
long union, and so needs a most especial bless- 
ing from Him in whose hands are all our ways, 
the beginning of life and the end thereof. 

Where two human beings bind themselves 
to a companionship which is to last as long as 
their lives, together with all the duties which 
such companionship implies, nothing short of 
a God-given and supernatural love, ever pres- 
ent and undiminished in the hearts of both, 
can make this union and companionship bliss- 
ful, fruitful of all good to themselves and 
others, or at all bearable, where there hap- 



428 THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY. 



pens to be incompatibility of temper and 
other causes of dissentiment and division. 

This love in its natural intensity and its 
supernatural aspect, is the fruit of the sacra- 
ment of matrimony. 

" A wrangling wife is like a roof continually 
dropping through. House and riches are 
given by parents, but a prudent wife is prop- 
erly from the Lord. . . . The fear of the 
Lord is unto life : and he shall abide in ful- 
ness without being visited with evil." {Pro- 
verbs xix. 13, 14, 23.) 

" A good wife is a good portion : she shall 
be given in the portion of them that fear God 
to a man for his good deeds. " (Ecclesiasticus 
xxvi. 3.) 

" The angel said to him [Raguel] : Be not 
afraid to give her to this man : for to him 
who feareth God is thy daughter due to be 
his wife : therefore another could not have 
her." (Tobias vii. 12.) 

One of the most bitter griefs which God's 
ministers have to endure, is to have to bless 
or witness the union of persons who contract 
matrimony without being seemingly conscious 
of the sacredness of the rite, of the pure dis- 
positions they are bound to bring to it, of 
the priceless graces attached to it, or of 



THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY. 429 

the terrible consequences of its profana- 
tion. 

Hence, in Catholic countries, the extreme 
care with which people prepare themselves for 
marriage. It is quite usual for both to with- 
draw for eight days or for several into some 
religious community in order to make a re- 
treat, meditating alone with God on the eter- 
nal truths, on the deep responsibilities of a 
life well or ill spent, and receiving with fervor 
both the sacraments of penance and the eu- 
charist immediately before matrimony. This, 
a due sense of the fear of God and of the im- 
portance of the great act about to be per- 
formed, renders imperative to right-minded 
persons. Even persons of the laboring classes 
are wont to give more time to prayer during 
the weeks immediately preceding marriage, 
live a more retired life, and are more careful 
of purity of conscience. 

For all, high or low, rich or poor, it is nec- 
essary to be free from every stain of mortal 
sin. This sacrament is like the eucharist, one 
of those which require that the recipient be in 
a state of grace. To be sure, when matrimony 
is contracted in a state of sin, the union is 
still valid, but the mighty sacramental grace 
is lost. Such an act is a sacrilege and a pro- 
fanation, and brings no blessing with it. 



430 THE SACKAMENT OF MATKIMONY. 

Tlie sacrament of matrimony consists in the 
contract itself which the parties form at the 
very moment they express their mutual con- 
sent to become husband and wife. 

The marriage ceremony loses all its impres- 
siveness, its solemnity, and significance, when 
performed in private, and not immediately 
followed by the divine sacrifice. Hence, we 
cannot too earnestly impress upon our readers 
the vital importance of having the marriage 
rite performed in the morning, sanctified and 
completed by the oblation of that Victim who 
died to win the Charchour mother, and whose 
blood still flows sacramentally on the altar 
to hallow and perfect such unions as are con- 
tracted with the view of pleasing Him. 

The Church attaches so much importance 
to these solemnities, so joyous and sacred in 
their nature, that she will not celebrate matri- 
mony duiing the penitential seasons of Ad- 
vent and Lent, because at these times she can- 
not give to the bridals of her children the 
joyousness and pomp she desires. 

Another disposition also testifies to the 
great anxiety she feels that all who intend to 
contract matrimony should do so without un- 
beseeming haste, and with all proper regard 
to the sanctity of the sacrament and the spot- 



THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY. 431 

less character of the parties themselves ; that 
is the law of the Council of Trent, enjoining 
the proclamation of banns. It is greatly to 
the interest of both bride and bridegroom, 
that the entire community in which they live 
should thereby become acquainted with their 
engagement. This publicity protects the pure 
and the innocent from the many dangers of 
deception so often practiced by parties whose 
interest it is to remain unknown, and to get 
married secretly and in haste. 

THE RITE OF MATRIMONY, ACCORDING TO THE 
ROMAN RITUAL. 

THE pastor, who is about to celebrate a 
■*■ marriage, after the three prescribed pub- 
lications of banns, and having discovered no 
impediment, will proceed to the parish church 
and vest himself with a surplice and stole. 
He will endeavor to be assisted by at least one 
altar-boy, vested with cassock and surplice, 
and bearing the Ritual, the holy- water vessel 
and aspersory. There should be three, or at 
least two witnesses present with the bride 
and . bridegroom ; and it is also proper that 
their parents and relatives should be there. 
Then the pastor asks the consent of each of the 
Contracting parties in the following manner : 



432 THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY. 

(To the Bridegroom.) 

iV., wilt thou take N. here present for thy 
wife and lawful spouse according to the rite 
of our holy mother, the Church ? The Bride- 
groom answers : I will. 

{To the Bride.) 

iV., wilt thou take JV. here present for thy 
husband and lawful spouse according to the 
rite of our holy mother, the Church? T7ie 
Bride answers : I will. 

Their mutual consent thus expressed con- 
stitutes the sacrament and makes them hus- 
band and wife. Thereupon the pastor bids 
them to join their right hands, and says, on 
the part of the Church : 

Ego conjungo vos in matrimonium, in no- 
mine Patris, * et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. 
Amen. 

" I unite you in matrimony in the name of 
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost. Amen." 

Or he uses such other form of words as is 
sanctioned by the received custom of the local 
church. He then sprinkles the married pair 
with holy water, and proceeds to bless the 
ring as follows : 



THE SACKAMENT OF MATKIMONY. 433 



V. A DJTTTORIUM 
nostrum in no- 
mine Domine, 

R. Qui fecit coelum 
et terrain. 

V. Domine, exaudi 
orationem meam, 

R. Et clamor meus 
ad te veniat. 

V. Dominus vobis- 
cum, 

R. Et cum Spiritu 
tuo. 

Oremus : Benedic, * 
Domine, a n n u 1 u m 
hunc, quern nos in 
tuo nomine benedici- 
mus *, ut quae eum 
gestaverit fidelitatem 
integram suo sponso 
tenons, in pace et vo- 
luntate tua permaneat, 
atque in mutua chari- 
tate semper vivat. 

Per Christum Domi- 
num nostrum. 

R. Amen. 
28 



O ANNTJLI. 

V. Our help is in 
the name of the Lord, 

R. Who made hea- 
ven and earth. 

V. O Lord, hear my 
prayer, 

R. And let my cry 
come unto thee, 

V. The Lord be 
with you, 

R. And with thy 
spirit. 

Let us pray : Bless, 
* 0 Lord, this ring, 
which we bless & in 
thy name, that she 
who wears it, may 
keep true faith toward 
her spouse, abide in 
peace and in thy will, 
and ever live in mu- 
tual love. 

Through Christ our 
Lord. 
R. Amen. 



434 THE SACRAMENT OF MATMMOXY. 



Then the priest sprinkles the ring with holy 
water in form of a cross, and the husband, 
receiving the ring from the hand of the priest, 
puts it on the ring-finger of his wife's left 
hand, the priest meantime saving : 

In nomine Patris, * et Filii, et Spiritus 
Sancti. Amen. 

This done, the priest adds : 



Y. Confirma hoc, 
Deus, quod operatus 
es in nobis. 

R. A templo sancto 
tuo quod est in Jeru- 
salem. 

Kyrie eleison. 

Christe eleison. 

Kyrie eleison.' 

Pater noster, etc. 
Et ne nos inducas in 
tentationem. 

R. Sed libera nos a 
malo. 

Y. Salvos f ac servos 
tuos. 

R. Deus meus, spe- 
rantes in te. 

Y. Mitte eis, Domi- 
ne, auxilium de sanc- 
to. 



F. Confirm, 0 God, 
that which thou hast 
wrought in us. 

R. From thy holy 
temple which is in 
Jerusalem. 

Lord, have mercy. 

Christ, have mercy. 

Lord, have mercy. 

Our Father, etc. 
And lead us not into 
temptation. 

R. But deliver us 
from evil. 

Y. Save thy ser- 
vants. 

R. Who hope in 
thee, 0 my God. 

Y. Send them help, 
O Lord, from the sanc- 
tuary. 



THE SACRAMENT OF MATREtfOXY. 435 



R. Et de Sion tuere 
eos. 

V. Esto eis, Domine, 
turris fortitudinis. 

R. A facie inimici. 

V. Domine, exaudi 
orationem ineam. 

R. Et clamor meus 
ad te veniat. 

QREMTJS : 

"DESPICE, quresu- 
mus, Domine, super 
hos famulos tuos, et 
institutis tuis, quibus 
propagationem huma- 
ni generis ordinasti, 
benignus assiste, lit 
qui te auctore jungun- 
tur, te auxiliante ser- 
Tentur.- Per Chris- 
tum Dominum nos- 
trum. Amen. 



R. And defend them 
out of Sion. 

V. Be unto them, 0 
Lord, a tower of 
strength. 

R. From the face of 
the enemy. 

V. 0 Lord, hear my 
prayer. 

R. And let my cry 
come unto thee. 

LET US PRAT : 

T OOK, 0 Lord, we 
beseech thee, upon 
these thy servants, and 
graciously assist thine 
own institutions, 
whereby thou hast 
ordained the propa- 
gation of mankind, 
that they who are 
joined together by thy 
authority may be pre- 
served by thy help. 
Through Christ, our 
Lord. Amen. 



436 



THE NUPTIAL MASS. 



After this, if the nuptial benediction is to 
be given, a Mass is said, pro sponso et sponsa, 
as in the Roman Missal ; everything being 
observed which is there prescribed. 

THE NUPTIAL MASS, 



IOTROITUS. 

T\EUS Israel conjun- 
gat vos, et ipse 
sit v o b i s c u in, qui 
misertus est duobus 
unicis : et nunc, Do- 
mine, fac eos plenius 
benedicere te. 

Beati omnes qui 
timent Dominum: qui 
ambulant in viis ejus. 

V. Gloria Patri, etc. 



TOBIAS VII. 15 ; VIIT. 

19. 

MAY the God of 
Israel join you 
together, who hath 
taken pity upon two 
only children : and 
now, 0 Lord, make 
them bless thee more 
fully. 

Blessed are they 
that fear the Lord, 
that walk in his ways. 

V. Glory be to the 
Father, etc. 



COLLECT. 

PXAUDI nos, omni- nRACIOUSLT hear 
potens et miseri- " us, 0 Almighty 
cors Deus : ut quod and merciful God, in 
nostro ministratus of- order that what our 
ficio, tua benedictione ministry hath per- 



THE NUPTIAL MASS. 



437 



p o t i u s imp] eatur. 
Per Dominum. 



EPISTLE : EPHESIANS 
MATTHEW 

TN illo tempore : Ac- 
cesserunt ad Jesum 
Pharisaei tentantes 
eum et dicentes : Si 
licet homini dimittere 
uxorem suam quacum- 
que ex causa ? Qui 
respondens ait eis : 
Non legistis quia qui 
fecit iiominem ab ini- 
tio, masculum et femi- 
nam fecit eos ? et dixit : 
Propter hoc dimittet 
homo patrem et ma- 
trem, et adhserebit 
iixori suae, et erunt 
duo in came una. 
Itaque jam non sunt 
duo sed una caro. 
Quod ergo Deus con- 



formed may be all the 
more perfected by thy 
blessing. Through 
our Lord. 

Y. 22-33. gospel : 
xix. 3-G. 

A ND there came to 
him the Pharisees 
tempting him and say- 
ing : Is it lawful for a 
man to put away his 
wife for every cause ? 
Who answering, said 
to them : Have ye not 
read, that He w r ho 
made man from the 
beginning, made them 
male and female ? And 
he said : For this 
cause, shall a man 
leave father and 
mother, and shall 
cleave to his w r if e, and 
they two shall be in 
one flesh. Therefore 
now they are not two 3 



438 



THE NUPTIAL MASS. 



junxit, 
separet. 



homo non 



but one flesh. What 
therefore God hath 
joined together, let no 
man put asunder. 



OFFERTORY. 



I 



T HAVE put my trust 
in thee, O Lord : 



Domine : dixi : Tu 

es Deus nieus : in ma- I said : My lots are 

nibus tuis tempora in thy hands. {Psalm 

mea. xxx. 15, 16.) 

SECRET. 



CUSCIPE, qusesu- 
^ mus, Domine, pro 
sacra connubii lege 
munusoblatum; etcu- 
jus largitor es operis, 
esto dispositor. Per 
Dominum. 



ACCEPT, we beseech 
thee, 0 Lord the 
offering which we pre- 
sent to thee in behalf 
of the sacred ordi- 
nance of nuptials; and 
be thou thyself the 
moderator of the insti- 
tute of which thou art 
the founder. Through 
our Lord. 

At the conclusion of the Pater koster, 
the bride and bridegroom kneel together be- 
fore the altar, while the celebrant standing 
on the Epistle side recites over them the fol- 
lowing most beautiful prayers : 



THE NUPTIAL MASS. 



439 



OKEMtJS. 

pROPITIARE, Do- 
■f mine, supplica- 
tionibus nostris, et in- 
stitutis tuis, quibus 
propagationem huma- 
ni generis ordinasti, 
benignus assiste : ut 
quod te auctore jungi- 
tur, te auxiliante ser- 
vetur. Per Doinmuni. 



OREMUS. 

TkEUS, qui potestate 
U virtutis tuse de 
nihilo cuncta fecisti : 
qui dispositis univer- 
sitatis exordiis, homi- 
ni ad imaginem Dei 
facto, ideo insepara- 
bile mulieris adjutori- 
um condidisti, ut femi- 
neo corpori de virili 
dares carne principi- 



LET US PRAY. 

T END a propitious 
ear to our prayers, 
O Lord, and kindly 
favor with tby present 
aid the rites ordained 
by thee for hallowing 
the perpetuation of 
the human race : in 
order that the union 
of which thou art the 
author may by thee be 
maintained. Through 
Christ. 

LET US PRAY. 

0 GOD, who by thy 
surpassing might 
didst make all things 
out of nothingness, 
who having ordered 
the first stages of this 
universe, and created 
man to the image of 
God, didst also create 
in woman a helpmeet 
for him and an insep- 



440 



THE NUPTIAL MASS. 



urn, docens quod ex 
uno placuisset institui 
nunquam licere dis- 
jungi : Deus, qui tam 
excellenti mysterio 
conjugalem copulam 
consecrasti, ut Cliristi 
et Ecclesiae sacramen- 
tum prsesignares in 
foedere nuptiarum : 
Deus, per quern niulier 
jungitur viro, et soci- 
etas principaliter ordi- 
nata ea benedictione 
donatur, quae sola nec 
per original is peccati 
poenam, nec per dilu- 
vii est ablata senten- 
tial! : respice propitius 
super lianc famulam 
tuam, quae, maritali 
jungenda consortio, 
tua se expetit benedic- 
tione muniri : sit in ea 
jugum dilectionis et 
pacis : fidelis et casta 
nubat in Christo, imi- 
tatrixque sanctarum 



arable companion, by 
making the man's sub- 
stance the principle 
of the woman's body, 
thereby teaching us 
that a union originat- 
ing in such unity may 
never be broken with- 
out crime : 0 God, 
who didst hallow this 
conjugal union by 
such deep significance 
as to foreshadow in 
this primitive nuptial 
alliance the mystery 
of Christ's union with 
the Church : O God, 
by whom woman is 
joined to man, and the 
primordial society 
thus formed is en- 
dowed with the bless- 
ing which alone sur- 
vived the punishment 
of original sin and the 
judgment executed 
through the deluge : 
look down mercifully 



THE NUPTIAL MASS. 



441 



permaneat femina- 
rum : sit amabilis viro 
suo ut Rachel : sapi- 
ens, lit Rebecca : lon- 
gaeva et fidelis, ut 
Sara : nihil in ea ex 
actibus suis ille auctor 
prsevaricationis usur- 
pet : nexa fidei manda- 
tisque permaneat : uni 
thoro juncta, cont ac- 
tus illicitos fugiat : 
muniat infirrnitatem 
suam robore discipli- 
nse : sit verecundia 
gravis, pudore venera- 
bilis, doctrinis cceles- 
tibus erudita : sit fe- 
cunda in sobole : sit 
probata et innocens ; 
et ad beatorum requi- 
em, atque ad ccelestia 
regna . perveniat : et 
videant am bo filios fili- 
orum suorum usque 
in tertiam et quartam 
generationem, et ad 
optatam perveniant se- 



on this thy handmaid, 
who, about to begin 
her companionship 
with her husband, 
beseeches thee to 
grant her thy protec- 
tion : in her may the 
yoke of love and peace 
ever abide : faithful 
and chaste, may she 
wed in Christ, and be 
evermore the imitator 
of holy women : may 
she prove lovely to her 
husband, like Rachel : 
wise, like Rebecca : 
long-lived and faith- 
ful, like Sara : may 
the fell author of 
(Eve's) prevarication 
find no trace in her of 
the actions which he 
counsels : may she be 
immovably attached to 
thy faith and law : the 
spouse of one man, 
may no other love ever 
touch her : may she 



442 



THE NUPTIAL MASS. 



nectutem. Per eum- school and shield her 
dem Dominum. own weakness by 

home discipline : may 
she be modest and 
dignified, chaste and 
venerable, enlightened 
by wisdom from on 
high : may children 
bless her, and all men 
praise her stainless 
life ; and may she 
thus attain to the rest 
of the blessed, and the 
heavenly kingdom : 
and may they both see 
their children's chil- 
dren even to the third 
and fourth generation, 
and reach the desired 
old age. Through 
the same Lord Jesus 
Christ. 

COMMUNION. 

ECCE sic benedice- T)EHOLD, thus shall 

tur omnis homo ^ the man be blessed 

qui timet Dominum : that feareth the Lord: 

et videas filios filio- and mayst thou see 



THE NUPTIAL MASS. 



443 ' 



rum tuorum : pax su- thy children's chil- 
per Israel. dren : peace upon Is- 

rael. {Psalm cxxvii. 
4, 6.) 

POSTCOMMUNION. 

QUJBSUMUS, omni- WE beseech, thee, O 
potens Dens, insti- ' ' Almighty God, 
tuta providentiae tuae do thou maintain by 
pio f avore comitare : thy fatherly care these 
nt quos societate legi- ordinances of thy pro- 
tima connectis, Ion- vidence, so as to pre- 
gaeva pace cnstodias. serve through a long 
Per Dominum nos- and peaceful life those 
trum. whom thou bindest to- 

gether in lawful com- 
panionship. Through 
our Lord. 

Immediately before blessing the congrega- 
tion, the Priest, turning toward the Bride and 
Bridegroom, says : 

Deus Abraham, De- May the God of 

us Isaac, et Deus Jacob Abraham, the God of 

sit vobiscum, et ipse Isaac, and the God of 

adimpleat benedictio- Jacob be with you, 

nem suam in vobis : ut and fulfill his own 

videatis filios filiorum blessing on you. May 

vestrorum usque ad you see your children's 



444 



THE NUPTIAL MASS. 



tertiam et quartam 
generationem : et pos- 
tea vitani seternarn ha- 
beatis sine fine, adju- 
vante Domino nostro 
Jesu Christ o, qui cum 
Patre et Spiritu Sanc- 
to vivit et regnat De- 
us, per omnia ssecula 
saeculorum. Amen. 



children to the third 
and fourth generation ; 
and afterward may you 
possess evermore the 
life eternal, with the 
aid of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, who with the 
Father and the Holy 
Ghost, liveth and 
reigneth world with- 
out end. Amen. 



She jfewameni of (gxtxtmt %\\xtik\x. 



"TS any man sick among 7011? Let liim 
bring in the priests of the church, and 1st 
them pray over him, anointing him with oil in 
the name of the Lord. And the prayer of 
faith shall save the sick man, and the Lord 
shall raise him up ; and if he be in sins they 
shall be forgiven him." (St. James v. 14, 15. ) 

In the church of Milan, down to the four- 
teenth century, the approved form of words 
employed in administering Extreme Unction 
according to the Ambrosian rite, was this : 

"I anoint thee with hallowed oil in the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 
Holy Ghost, in order that being like a soldier 
anointed with oil in preparation for the com- 
bat, thou may est overcome the powers of the 
air." 

This sacrament is called the Extreme (or 
Last) Unction, because the grace which it con- 
fers in a manner crowns and perfects, at the 
end of life, the grace bestowed in baptism and 
its unctions, as well as in the sacrament of 
penance. In baptism the candidate is anointed 
with the oil of catechumens, as soon as the 

445 



446 SACRAMENT OF EXTREME UNCTION. 

babe, through, its godfather and godmother, or 
the adult in person, has solemnly abjured and 
renounced Satan with all his works and crimi- 
nal seductions. Immediately after baptism 
the recipient is anointed with holy chrism. 
The former unction signified that the living 
and generous faith in Christ, with its attend- 
ant graces, would enable the believer to resist 
the seductions of the world, and thus worthily 
prepare the soul for the grace of regeneration 
and elevation to the rank of child of God. 
Most fitly afterward, the baptized are anointed 
with royal chrism, to signify the rank to which 
they are raised in Christ, and the royal gener- 
osity with which they are to live up to their 
rank. 

Along the road of life, however, and in our 
various conflicts with the world, we receive 
many wounds, of which the deep scars and 
weakening effects remain even after they have 
been healed in confession ; and we carry along 
with us many a stain from the dust and the 
mud of the road. But God's children must 
be made thoroughly whole and sound before 
they can come victorious out of the battle of 
the last hours ; God's temple must be purified 
from every stain, both in soul and body, 
before the soul stands at the Judgment seat, 



SACRAMENT OF EXTREME UNCTION". 447 

and the body is consigned to the grave to 
await the final resurrection. 

It is at the last hour and during the death- 
struggle that the arch-enemy of God and man 
exerts his utmost might to defeat, in the per- 
sons of the dying, the merciful accomplish- 
ment of all God's designs. It is, however, at 
the hour of death that the Father, through 
his crucified Son, has made most especial pro- 
vision for the comfort of the sick, and the aid 
of the terrified soul. 

" This Unction," says the Council of Trent, 
" takes away all the sins that may still have 
to be forgiven, as well as the effects of sin ; 
it comforts and strengthens the soul of the 
sick person, filling it with great confidence in 
the divine mercy ; and thereby it relieves the 
sufferers, and enables them to bear more pa- 
tiently with the weariness and discomforts of 
illness ; it also enables them the better to re- 
sist the temptations of the Devil who is then 
' lying in wait for our heel ; ' and, in fine, it 
also bestows occasionally the health of the 
body, whenever this may be expedient to the 
salvation of the soul." {Session xiv. c. 2.) 

A sweet saint of the thirteenth century, St. 
Mary of Oignies, who died at the age of 
thirty-six, after having devoted herself with 
her young husband to the care of the most 



448 SACRAMENT OF EXTREME UNCTION. 



loathsome diseases in the leprosy hospitals, 
was rewarded at the hour of her death by a 
signal favor from on high. Our dear Lady 
warned her of the approach of death, and 
when she was about to receive Extreme Unc- 
tion, she beheld our Lord with the glorious 
company of his apostles around her sick-bed. 
Christ held his cross, as the ensign of victory 
near her feet, and as the priest anointed each 
bodily organ, she felt the Holy Spirit fill both 
the exterior and interior sense with a vivid 
light. Xay, while she had been in health 
and was assisting other dying persons to re- 
ceive this great sacrament, she was habitually 
favored with the sight of Christ and his saints 
around the death-bed, mercifully comforting 
the sufferers, putting to flight the evil spirits, 
and purifying the agonizing souls, while the 
priest was discharging his ministry : it seemed 
to her that as the unctions were performed a 
bright light was diffused all over the sick 
body. {Cardinal Jacques de Vitry, in her Life,) 



THE ORDER OF ADMINISTERING THE SACRA- 
MENT OF EXTREME UNCTION. 

On arriving at the place where the sick 
man lies, the priest, with the holy oil, enter- 
ing the chamber, says : 



SACRAMENT OF EXTREME UNCTION. 449 



Pax lmic domui. 

B. Et omnibus ha- 
bitantibus in ea. 



Peace be to tliis 
bouse. 

B. And to all who 
dwell therein. 



Then, after placing the oil on a table, being 
vested in a surplice and violet-colored stole, 
he offers the sick man a crucifix piously to 
kiss ; after which he sprinkles both the cham- 
ber and the bystanders with holy water in 
the form of a cross, saying the Asperges, as 
at p. 148. Then he says : 



V. Adjutorium nos- 
trum in nomine Dom- 
ini. 

B. Qui fecit coelum 
et terram. 

Y. Doniinus vobis- 
cum. 

B. Et cum spiritu 
tuo. 

OREMUS. 

TNTROEAT, Domine 
Jesu Christe, do- 
mum banc sub nostras 
humilitatis ingressu, 
aeterna felicitas, di- 
vina prosperitas, sere- 
29 



V. Our help is in 
the name of the Lord. 

B. Who hath made 
heaven and earth. 

V. The Lord be 
with you. 

B. And with thy 
spirit. 

LET US PRAY. 

T ET there enter, O 
^ Lord Jesus Christ, 
into this house, at the 
entrance of our humil- 
ity, everlasting felici- 
ty, divine prosperity, 



450 SACRAMENT OF EXTREME UNCTION. 



na laetitia, charitas 
fructuosa, sanitas sem- 
piterna : efHugiat ex 
hoc loco accessus dae- 
monum, adsint Angeli 
pacis, domumque lianc 
deserat omnis maligna 
discordia. Magnifica, 
Domine, super nos 
nonien sanctum tuum, 
et benedic & nostras 
conversation! : sancti- 
fica nostras humilitatis 
ingressum, qui sanc- 
tus et pius es, et per- 
manes cum Patre et 
Spiritu Sancto in sas- 
culo saeculorum. 
Amen. 

Oremus et deprece- 
mur Dominum nos- 
trum Jesum Christum, 
ut benedicendo bene- 
dicat hoc tabernac- 
ulum, et omnes habi- 
tantes in eo, et det eis 
Angelum bonum cus- 



serene gladness, fruit- 
ful charity, perpetual 
health : let the ap- 
proach of devils flee 
from this place, let 
the Angels of peace 
be present therein, 
and let all malignant 
discord depart from 
this house. Magnify, 
O Lord, upon us thy 
holy name, and bless 
* our conversation : 
sanctify the entrance 
of our humility who 
art holy and good, and 
abidest with the Fa- 
ther and the Holy 
Ghost forever and ev- 
er. Amen. 

Let us pray and be- 
seech our Lord Jesus 
Christ, that blessing 
he may bless * this 
tabernacle, and all 
who dwell therein, 
and give unto them a 
good Angel for a guar- 



SACRAMENT OF EXTREME UNCTION. 451 



todem, et faciat eos 
sibi servire, ad con- 
siderandum mirabilia 
de lege sua : avertat 
ab eis omnes contrari- 
as potestates : eripiat 
eos ab omni formidine 
et ab omni perturba- 
tione, ac sanos in hoc 
tabernaculo custodire 
dignetur. Qui cum 
Patre et Spiritu Sanc- 
to vivit et regnat Deus 
in saecula saeculorum. 
Amen. 



dian, and make them 
serve him, that they 
may consider the won- 
derful things out of 
his law. May he 
avert from them all 
adverse powers ; may 
he deliver them from 
all fear and from all 
disquiet, and vouch, 
safe to keep them in 
health in this taber- 
nacle. Who, with the 
Father and the Holy 
Ghost, liveth and 
reigneth God forever 
and ever. Amen. 



OREMUS. 

"PXAUDI nos, Do- 
mine sancte, Pater 
omnipotens, set erne 
Deus, et mittere dig- 
neris sanctum Ange- 
lum tuum de ccelis, 
qui custodiat, foveat, 
protegat, visitet atque 
defendat omnes habi- 



LET US PRAY. 

TJEAR us, O holy 
Lord, Almighty 
Father, eternal God, 
and vouchsafe to send 
thy holy Angel from 
heaven, to guard, 
cherish, protect, visit, 
and defend all that 
dwell in this house. 



452 SACRAMENT OF EXTREME UNCTION. 



tantes in hoc habita- Through. Christ our 
culo. Per Christum Lord. Amen, 
Dominum nostrum. 
Amen. 

(These prayers, if time will not permit, may 
be either wholly or in part omitted.) After 
which is said the Confiteor, etc., as at p. 158, 
except when the Sacrament of Extreme Unc- 
tion is administered immediately after the re- 
ceiving of the holy Viaticum. 

(Before the priest begins to anoint the sick 
person, he admonishes the bystanders to pray 
for him ; and when it is convenient to do so, 
they recite for him the Penitential Psalms, 
with litanies or other prayers, while the priest 
is administering the Sacrament of Unction.) 
Then he says : 

In nomine Patris 
et Filii et Spirit us * 
Sancti, extinguatur in 
te omnis virtus diaboli, 
per impositionem raa- 
nuum nostrarum et per 
invccationem omnium 
sanctorum Angelo- 
rum, Archangelorum, 
Patriarcharum, Pro- 
phetarum, Apostolo- 
rum, Marty rum, Con- 



In the name of the 
Father and of the 
Son *, and of the Holy 
* Ghost, may all the 
powers of the devil be 
extinguished in thee, 
by the imposition of 
our hands, and by the 
invocation of all the 
holy Angels, Archan- 
gels, Patriarchs, Pro- 
phets, Apostles, Mar- 



SACRAMENT OF EXTREME UNCTION. 453 



fessorum, Virginum, tyrs, Confessors, Vir- 
atque omnium simul gins, and all the 
sanctorum. Amen. Saints. Amen. 

Then dipping his thumb in the holy oil, he 
anoints the sick man in the form of a cross 
on the parts mentioned below, applying the 
words of the form as follows : 

ON THE EYES. 

BER istam sanctam 'THROUGH this holy 

unctionem * et unction * and 

suam piissimam mis- through his most ten- 

ericordiam, indulgeat der mercy, may the 

tibi Dominns quid- Lord pardon thee 

quid per visum deli- whatever sins thou 

quisti. A men, hast committed by 
seeing. Amen. 

After every unction he wipes the anointed 
parts. 

ON THE EARS. 

PER istam sanctam THROUGH this holy 

unctionem et unction ^ and 

suam piissimam mis- through his most ten- 

ericordiam, indulgeat der mercy, may the 

tibi Dominus quid- Lord pardon thee 

quid per auditum deli, whatever sins thou 

quisti. Amen. hast committed by 
hearing. Amen. 



454 SACRAMENT OF EXTREME UNCTION. 

ON THE NOSTRILS. 

DER istam sanctam THRO UGH this holy 

J- unctionem * et f- unction * and 

suam piissimam mis- through his most ten 

ericordiam, indulgeat der mercy, may the 

tibi Dominns quid- Lord pardon thee 

quid per odoratum de- whatever sins thou 

liquisti. Amen. hast committed by 
smelling. Amen. 

ON THE MOUTH, THE LIPS BEING CLOSED. 

PER istam sanctam THROUGH this holy 
unctionem * et unction * and 
suam piissimam mis- through his most ten- 
ericordiam, indulgeat der mercy, may the 
tibi Dominus quid- Lord pardon thee 
quid per gustum et whatever sins thou 
locutionem deliquisti. hast committed by 
Amen. taste and speech. 

Amen. 

ON THE HANDS. 

PER istam sanctam THROUGH this holy 

unctionem * et unction * and 

suam piissimam mis- through his most ten- 

ericordiam, indulgeat der mercy, may the 

tibi Dominus quid- Lord pardon thee 



SACRAMENT OF EXTREME UNCTION. 455 



quid per tactum deli- whatever sins thou 
quisti. Amen. hast committed by 

touch. Amen. 



ON THE FEET. 



T)ER istam sanctam 
unctionem * et 
suam piissimam mis- 
ericordiam, indulgeat 
tibi Dominus quid- 
quid per gressum de- 
liquistL Amen. 

Which being done, 

Kyrie eleison. 
Christe eleison. Ky- 
rie eleison. 

Pater noster, secreto. 

Et ne nos inducas in 
tentationem. 

B. Sed libera nos a 
malo. 

V. Salvum fac ser- 
vum tuum, Domine. 

B. Deus meus, spe- 
rantem in te. 

V. Mitte ei, Donii- 



THROUGH this 
holy unction % 
and through his most 
loving mercy, may the 
Lord pardon thee 
whatever sins thou 
hast committed b y 
walking. Amen. 

the priest says : 

Lord, have mercy. 
Christ, have mercy. 
Lord, have mercy. 
Our Father, secretly. 
And lead us not into 
temptation. 

B. But deliver us 
from evil. 

V. 0 Lord, save thy 
servant. 

B. Who hopeth in 
thee, O my God. 
V. Send him help, 



456 SACRAMENT OF EXTREME UNCTION. 



ne, auxilium de sanc- 
to. 

B. Et de Sion tuere 
eum. 

V. Esto ei, Domine, 
turris fortitudinis. 

B. A facie inimici. 

V. Nihil proficiat 
inimicus in eo. 

B. Et nlius iniqui- 
tatis, non apponat no- 
cere ei. 

V. Domine, exaudi 
orationem meam. 

B. Et clamor meus 
ad te veniat. 

V. Dominus vobis- 
cum. 

B. Et cum spiritu 
tuo. 

OREMUS. 



O Lord, from the 
sanctuary. 

B. And defend him 
out of Sion. 

V. Be unto him, 0 
Lord, a tower of 
strength. 

B. From the face of 
the enemy. 

V. Let not the en- 
emy prevail against 
him. 

B. Nor the son of 
iniquity approach to 
hurt him. 

V. 0 Lord, hear my 
prayer. 

B. And let my cry 
come unto thee. 

V. The Lord be 
with you. 

B. And with thy 
spirit. 

LET US PRAT. 



OMINE Deus om- T ORD God Almighty, 
nipotens, qui per who hast spoken 



SACRAMENT OF EXTREME UNCTIOX. 457 



Apostolum tuum Jaco- 
bum locutus es, di- 
cens : "Infirmatur 
quis in vobis, inducat 
presbyteros ecclesiae, 
et orent super eum, 
ungentes eum oleo in 
nomine Domini, et 
oratio fidei salvabit in- 
firmum, et alleviabit 
eum Dominus, et si in 
peccatis sit, reniitten- 
tur ei:" cura qusesu- 
mus, Redemptor nos- 
ter, gratia Sancti 
Spiritus languores 
istius infirmi, ej usque 
sana vulnera, et di- 
mitte peccata, atque 
dolores cunctos mentis 
et corporis ab eo ex- 
pelle, plenamque in- 
terius et exterius sani- 
tatem misericorditer 
redde, ut ope miseri- 
cordise tuae restitutus, 
ad pristina reparetur 



by thine Apostle 
James, saving : " Is 
any man sick among 
you? Let him bring 
in the priests cf the 
Church, and let them 
pray over him, an- 
ointing him with oil 
in the name of the 
Lord, and the prayer 
of faith shall save the 
sick man ; and the 
Lord shall raise him 
lip ; and if he be in 
sins, they shall be 
forgiven him : 99 cure, 
we beseech thee, 0 
our Redeemer, by the 
grace of the Holy 
Spirit, the languors of 
this sick man : heal 
his wounds, and for- 
give his sins : drive 
out from him all 
pains of body and 
mind, and mercifully 
restore to him full 



458 SACRAMENT OF EXTREME UNCTION. 



officia. Qui cum Patre 
et Spiritu Sancto vivis 
et regnas Deus in 
s ee c u 1 a saeculorum. 
Amen. 



OREMUS. 

DESPICE, qusesu- 
mus, Domine, fam- 
ulum tuum JST., infir- 
mitate sui corporis 
fatiscentem, et ani- 
mam ref ove quam 
creasti : ut castiga- 
tionibus emendatus, 
se tua sentiat medici- 
na salvatum. Per 
Christum Dominum 
nostrum. Amen. 



health, inwardly and 
outwardly, that, being 
recovered by the help 
of thy mercy, he may 
return to his former 
duties. Who, with 
the Father and the 
Holy Ghost, 1 i v e s t 
and reignest God, 
world without end. 
Amen. 

LET US PRAY. 

T OOK down, O Lord, 
we beseech thee, 
upon thy servant N., 
fainting in the infirm- 
ity of his body, and 
refresh the soul which 
thou hast created, that 
being amended by 
chastisements, he may 
feel himself saved by 
thy medicine. 
Through Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



SACRAMENT OF EXTREME UNCTION. 459 



OREMUS. 



LET US PRAY. 



TiOMIXE sancte, Pa- A HOLY Lord, al- 

*J ter omnipotens, ^ mighty Fatlier, 

aeterne Deus, qui bene- eternal God, who by 

dictionis tuae gratiam pouring the grace of 

segris infundendo cor- thy blessing upon sick 

poribus, facturam tu- bodies, dost preserve, 

am multiplici pietate by thy manifold good- 

custodis : ad invoca- ness, the work of thy 



tionem tui nominis 
benignus assiste, ut 
famulum tuum ab 
segritudine liberatum 
et sanitate donatum 
dextera tua erigas, vir- 
tute confirmes, potes- 
tate tuearis, atque ec- 
clesia? tuae sanctae cum 
omni desiderata pros- 
peritaterestituas. Per 
Christum Dominum 
nostrum. Amen. 



hands, graciously 
draw near at the invo- 
cation of thy name, 
that delivering thy 
servant from sickness, 
and bestowing health 
upon him, thou may est 
raise him up by thy 
right hand, strengthen 
him by thy might, de- 
fend him by thy pow- 
er, and restore him to 
thy holy Church, with 
all desired prosperity. 
Through Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

Lastly, the priest may add some short and 
salutary admonitions, according to the condi- 



460 



DEVOTIONS FOR THE SICK. 



tion of the person, whereby the sick man may 
be confirmed to die in the Lord, and may be 
strengthened to pnt to flight all the tempta- 
tions of devils. 



INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS FOR THE 
SICK. 

1. IF attacked by any serious illness, let it 
J- be your first care to send for your spiri- 
tual director, and settle the state of your soul, 
which is much better done at the beginning 
than afterward, when the violence of the dis- 
order, or the quality of the remedies may ren- 
der you incapable of performing so great a 
work. Sickness is frequently the punishment 
of sin, and, therefore, a sincere repentance 
and confession are often a more effectual 
moans of recovery than any other. 

2. If your will be not already made, as in 
prudence it ought, let this also be done in the 
beginning of your sickness, that so having 
settled your temporal concerns, you may apply 
your soul without disturbance to your spiritual 
ones. 

3. Engage your best friends to give you 
timely notice whether your distemper be dan- 
gerous, and not to flatter you with the hopes 
of life when there are little or no grounds for 



DEVOTIONS FOR THE SICK. 461 

hope. Make tlie best use possible of that 
time, which perhaps is to be y our last. Admit 
but of few visits, nor of any other discourse 
but such as may be for the profit of your soul. 

4. Be careful also to discharge your debts, 
and all other obligations incumbent upon you, 
at the beginning of your sickness ; forgive 
those who have any ways injured you, and 
ask pardon of those whom you have injured. 

5. Receive your sickness as coming from 
the hands of God with a perfect resignation to 
his holy will, and as a just punishment of 
your offenses. Frequently offer yourself up 
to him, and beg that he would grant you 
patience, sanctify your sufferings, and accept 
of them, in union with those of Jesus Christ 
your Saviour, in satisfaction of the punish- 
ment due to your sins. 

6. Procure some friend to read to you such 
prayers as are most affecting and proper for 
your condition, such as the Penitential Psalms, 
the Litanies, Acts of the Love of God, of 
patience, resignation, etc. 

7. Place a crucifix, or figure of Christ cru- 
cified always before your eyes, in order to 
think often upon his passion ; hide yourself 
in spirit in his wounds, and embrace his feet 
with the utmost affection of your soul. 



462 DEVOTIONS FOB THE SICK. 



8- Endeavor, as much as possible, to ac- 
quire a penitential spirit during your sick- 
ness ; call often upon God for mercy, and 
make frequent acts of contrition for your sins 
St. Augustine used to say that no Christian, 
however innocent his life might have been, 
ought to venture to die in any other state than 
that of a penitent. 

A DAILY PRAYER IK TIME OE SICKNESS. 



OKD JESUS CHRIST, behold, I 



thou art pleased to visit me, as coming 
from thy fatherly hand. It is thy will 
it should be thus with me, and there- 
fore I submit : 66 Thy will be done on 
earth as it is in heaven." May this 
sickness be to the honor of thy holy 
name, and to the good of my soul. For 
this end, I here offer myself with an en- 
tire submission to thy appointments ; 
to suffer whatever thou pleasest, as 
long, and in what manner thou pleas- 
est. For I, thy creature, 0 Lord, have 
most ungratefully offended thee ; and 




receive this sickness with which 



DEVOTIONS FOR THE SICK. 463 

as my sins have long since cried aloud 
to heaven for justice, how can I now 
complain of thy chastisements ? No, 
my God, thou art just in all thy ways ; 
I have truly deseryed thy punishment, 
and therefore can haye no reason to 
complain of thee, but rather of my own 
wickedness. 

"Bebuke me not, 0 Lord, in thy 
fury, nor chastise me in thy wrath ; " 
but haye compassion on my weakness. 
Thou knowest my frailty, and that I 
am nothing but dust and ashes. Deal 
not with me, therefore, according to 
my sins, nor punish me according to 
my iniquities : and according to the 
multitude of thy tender mercies haye 
compassion on me. May thy justice, 
0 Lord, be tempered with mercy ; and 
let thy heavenly grace come to my as- 
sistance, to support me under this ill- 
ness. Enable me with strength from 
above to bear all the uneasiness, pains, 
and difficulties of my sickness with 



464 DEVOTIONS FOR THE SICK. 

Christian patience, and to accept them 
with cheerfulness, in just punishment 
of my offenses. Preserve me from all 
temptations, and be thou to me a tower 
of strength against the assaults of the 
enemy, that in this illness I may no 
ways offend thee. And should it be 
my last, I beg of thee so to direct me 
by thy grace, that I may neither neg- 
lect nor be deprived of those helps 
which thou hast, in thy mercy, or- 
dained for the safe conduct of my soul 
in its passage to eternity ; that being per- 
fectly cleansed from all my sins, I may 
believe in thee, hope in thee, love thee 
above all things, and, through the mer- 
its of thy death and passion, be admit- 
ted into the company of the blessed, 
where I may praise thee forever. 
Amen. 

ACTS OF THE MOST NECESSARY VIRTUES TO 
BE MADE IN TIME OF SICKNESS. 

LORD, I accept this sickness from thy hands, 
and resign myself entirely to thy blessed 



DEVOTIONS FOR THE SICK. 465 

will, wlietlier it be for life or death. Not my 
will, but thine be done ; thy will be done on 
earth as it is in heaven. 

I offer up to thee, 0 Lord, all that I now 
suffer, or may hereafter suffer, to be united 
to the sufferings of my Redeemer, and sancti- 
fied by his passion. 

I adore thee, 0 my God, and my all, as my 
first beginning and last end ; and, bowing 
down all the powers of my soul in thy pre- 
sence, desire to pay thee the best homage I 
am able. 

I desire to praise thee, 0 Lord, without 
ceasing, in sickness as well as in health ; and 
to join my heart and voice with the whole 
Church in heaven and on earth, in blessing 
thee forever. 

I give thee thanks from the bottom of my 
heart for all the mercies and blessings be- 
stowed upon me and thy whole Church, 
through Jesus Christ thy Son ; and, above 
all, for his having loved me from all eternity, 
and redeemed me with his precious blood. 
Oh, let not that blood be shed for me in vain ! 

Lord, I believe all those heavenly truths 
which thou hast revealed, and which thy 
holy Catholic Church believes and teaches ; 
thou art the sovereign Truth, who neither 
30 



466 DEVOTIONS FOR THE SICK. 

canst deceive nor be deceived ; and thou hast 
promised the Spirit of Truth to guide thy 
Church into all truth. " I believe in God, 
the Father Almighty," etc. In this faith I 
resolve, through thy grace, both to live and 
die. 0 Lord, strengthen and increase my 
faith. 

0 my God, all my hopes are centered in thee, 
from whom I hope for mercy, grace, and sal- 
vation, through the passion and death of my 
blessed Redeemer. In thee, O Lord, have I 
put my trust: Oh, let me never be confounded. 

0 sweet Jesus, receive me into thy arms in 
this day of my distress ; hide me within thy 
wounds, bathe my soul in thy precious blood. 

1 love thee, 0 my God, with my whole 
heart and soul, above all things : at least, I 
desire so to love thee. Oh, come now and take 
full possession of my soul, and teach me to 
love thee forever. 

I desire to be dissolved, and to be with 
Christ. 

When, 0 Lord, will thy kingdom come? 
when wilt thou perfectly reign in all hearts ? 
when shall sin be no more ? 

I desire to embrace every neighbor in the 
arms of perfect charity, for the love of thee. 
I forgive, from my heart, all that have any- 



DEVOTTOXS FOR THE SICK. 467 

ways offended or injured me, and ask pardon 
of all whom I have anyways offended. 

Have mercy on me, 0 God, according to 
thy great mercy ; and, according to the mul- 
titude of thy tender mercies, blot out my in- 
iquities. 

Oh, who will give water to my head, and 
fountains of tears to my eyes, that night and 
day I may bewail all my sins ? 

Oh, that I had never offended so good a 
God ! Oh, that I had never sinned ! Happy 
those souls that have preserved their baptis- 
mal innocence ! 

Lord, be merciful to me a sinner ; sweet 
Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on 
me. 

I recommend my soul to God, my Creator, 
who made me out of nothing ; to Jesus Christ 
my Saviour, who redeemed me with his pre- 
cious blood , to the Holy Ghost, who sancti- 
fied me in baptism. Into thy hands, 0 Lord, 
I commend my spirit. 

I renounce from this moment, and for all 
eternity, the devil and all his works, and 
abhor all his suggestions and temptations. 
Suffer not this mortal enemy of my soul, 0 
Lord, to have any dominion over me, either 
now or at my last hour. Oh, let thy holy 



468 DEVOTIONS FOR THE SICK. 



angels defend me from all the powers of dark- 
ness. 

O Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for me a 
poor sinner, now and at the hour of my death. 

0 all ye blessed angels and saints of God, pray 
for me a poor sinner. 

It may also be proper to read some part of 
the Meditations on the Passion of Christ, the 
Miserere, or other penitential Psalms, devout 
acts of contrition, etc., but not too much at a 
time, lest it might fatigue the sick person. 

A DAILY PREPARATION FOR DEATH. 

1. MY heart is ready, 0 God, my heart is 
ready ; not my will, but thine be done. 

1 resign myself entirely to thee, 0 Lord, to re- 
ceive death at the time and in the manner it 
shall please thee to send it. 

2. I most humbly ask pardon for all the sins 
I have committed against thy sovereign good- 
ness, and repent of them all from the bottom 
of my heart. 

3. I firmly believe whatsoever the Holy 
Catholic Church believes and teaches ; and by 
thy grace I will die in this belief. 

4. I hope to possess eternal life through thy 
infinite mercy, and the merits of my Saviour, 
Jesus Christ. 

5. 0 my God, my sovereign good, I desire 



DEVOTIONS FOR THE SICK. 469 

to love thee above all things, and to despise 
this miserable world. I desire to love my 
neighbor as myself, for the love of thee, and 
from my heart to forgive all injuries. 

6. 0 my divine Jesus, how great is my de- 
sire to receive thy sacred body ! Oh, come now 
into my soul, at least by spiritual communion. 
Oh, grant that I may worthily receive thee be- 
fore my death. I desire to unite my commu- 
nion to all the worthy communions which shall 
be made in thy holy Church, even to the end 
of the world. 

7. Grant me the grace, 0 my divine Saviour, 
perfectly to efface all the sins I have commit- 
ted by any of my senses, by applying daily to 
my soul thy blessed merits, the holy unction 
of thy precious blood. 

8. Holy Virgin, Mother of God, defend me 
from my enemies in my last hour, and present 
me to thy divine Son. Glorious St. Michael, 
prince of the heavenly host ; my angel guar- 
dian, and blessed patrons, intercede for me, and 
assist me in this my last and dreadful passage. 

9. 0 my God, I renounce all temptations of 
the enemy, and in general whatsoever may 
displease thee. I adore and accept thy divine 
appointments with regard to my soul, and en- 
tirely abandon myself to them as most just 
and equitable. 



470 



LITANY FOR A HAPPY DEATH. 



10. 0 Jesus, ray divine Protector, prove to 
me a Saviour. Save me, O my God, hiding 
myself with an humble confidence in thy dear 
wounds. I deliver my soul into thy divine 
hands ; receive it into the bosom of thy divine 
mercy. Amen. 

LITAXY FOB A HAPPY DEATH. 

A LORD J esus, God of goodness, and Father 
^ of mercies, I approach to thee with a con- 
trite and humble heart ; to thee I recommend 
the last hour of my life, and the decision of 
my eternal doom. 



When my feet, benumbed with death, 
shall admonish me that my mortal course 
is drawing to the end, 

When my eyes, dim and troubled at the 
approach of death, shal] fix themselves on 
thee, my last and only support, 

When my face, pale and livid, shall in- 
spire the beholders with pity and dismay; y 
when my hair, bathed in the sweat of 
death, and stiffening on my head, shall 
forebode my approaching end, 

When my ears, soon to be forever shut 
to the discourse of men, shall be open to 
the irrevocable decree, which is to cut 
me off from the living, 



LITANY FOR A HAPPY DEATH. 471 

Wlien my imagination, agitated by" 
dreadful specters, shall be sunk in an 
abyss of anguisli ; when my soul, affright- 
ed with the sight of my iniquities, and 
the terrors of thy judgments, shall have 
to fight against the angel of darkness, 
who will endeavor to conceal thy mercies 
from my eyes and to plunge me into de- 
spair, 

When my poor heart, yielding to the 
pressure, and exhausted by its frequent 
struggles against the enemies of its salva- 
tion, shall feel the pangs of death, 

When the last tear, the forerunner of J- § 
my dissolution, shall drop from my eyes, 
receive it as a sacrifice of expiation for 
my sins ; grant that I may expire the vic- 
tim of penance, and in that dreadful mo- 
ment, 

When my friends and relations, encir- 
cling my bed, shall shed the tear of pity 
over me, and invoke thy clemency in my 
behalf, 

When I shall have lost the use of my 
senses, when the world shall have van- 
ished from my sight, when my agonizing 
soul shall feel the sorrows of death, 



472 LITANY FOR A HAPPY DEATH. 

When my last sigh shall summon fiayH 
soul to burst from the embraces of the 
body, and to spring to thee on the wings 
of impatience and desire, 

When my soul, trembling on my lips, 
shall bid adieu to the world, and leave 
my body lifeless, pale, and cold, receive 
this separation as a homage which I will- 
ingly pay to thy Divine Majesty, and in 
that last moment of my mortal life, 

When at length my soul, admitted to 
thy presence, shall first behold the splen- 
dor of thy Majesty, reject me not, but 
receive me into thy bosom, where I may 
forever sing thy praises, and in that mo- 
ment, when eternity shall begin to me, 

LET US PRAY. 

OGOD, who hast doomed all men to 
die, but hast concealed from all the 
hour of their death, grant that I may 
pass my days in the practice of holiness 
and justice, and that I may deserve to 
quit this world in the peace of a good 
conscience, and in the embraces of thy 
love, through Christ our Lord. Amen. 



S 



LITANY FOR THE SICK. 



473 



THE LITANY FOR THE SICK, AND PREPARA- 
TION FOR DEATH 

LORD, have mercy upon him (her, or me). 
Christ, have mercy upon him, etc. 
Lord, have mercy upon him, etc. 
0 God, the Father, Creator of the world, 

Have mercy upon him, etc. 
0 God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, 

Have mercy upon 7dm, etc. 
O God, the Holy Ghost, Perf ector of the Elect, 

Have mercy upon Mm, etc. 
0 Blessed Trinity, three Persons and one God, 

Have mercy upon Mm, etc. 
Holy Mother of God, 
All ye holy Angels and Archangels, 
All ye blessed company of the Just, 
All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets, 
All ye holy Apostles and Evangelists, 
All ye holy Disciples of our Lord, 
All ye holy Martyrs, 
All ye holy Bishops and Confessors, 
All ye holy Virgins and Widows, 
All ye holy Saints of God, make intercession 

for Mm {her, or me). 
Have mercy, 0 Lord / and spare him, etc. 
Have mercy, 0 Lord / and hear Mm, etc. 



■t) 

I 
>• 



474 LITANY FOR THE SICK. 



From all his sins and offenses, and the' 

punishment due to them, 
From all temptations, and the snares of 

the devil, 

From all impatience, and repining at thy 
just chastisements, 

From dejection of spirit, and diffidence in 
thy mercies, 

From all undue fears of death, and all 
immoderate desires of life, 

From distraction of mind, and neglect of 
his preparation for eternity, 

By the Cross and Passion, 

By thy Death and Burial, 

By thy glorious Resurrection and Ascen- 
sion, 

By the grace of the Holy Ghost, the Com- 
forter, 

In the hour of death, and in the day of 

judgment, 
We, sinners, beseech thee hear us. 

That it would please thee to comfort him 
in his sorrows, and enable him to look beyond 
death to the blessed state it leads to, we beseech 
thee hear us. 

That it would please thee to remind him of 
all thy mercies, and by them encourage him 
to a sure confidence in thee, we beseech thee, etc. 



LITANY FOR THE SICK. 475 

That thou wouldst vouchsafe him the grace 
to order all his temporal affairs with prudence, 
justice, and charity ; and with a free and quiet 
mind wholly to attend to dispose himself for 
heaven, we beseech thee, etc. 

That thou wouldst sanctify this thy fatherly 
correction of him ; that the sense of his weak- 
ness may add strength to his faith, and seri- 
ousness to his repentance, we beseech thee, 
etc. 

That thou wouldst vouchsafe him the grace 
to confess sincerely ; to repent of all his sins, 
and grant him perfect remission and forgive- 
ness of them, we beseech thee, etc. 

That thou wouldst vouchsafe him the grace 
heartily to forgive all those that have offended 
him, and to satisfy, to the utmost of his power, 
whoever hath suffered the least prejudice by 
him, we beseech thee, etc. 

That being thus reconciled to thee, and to 
all the world, he may, with assured hope and 
steadfast faith, receive the sacrament of thy 
blessed body ; and may the strength of that 
heavenly food cheer his fainting spirits, and 
carry him on with joy, in thy favor, to the 
end, we beseech thee, etc. 

That a patient submission under the pains 
of his sickness may expiate the punishment 



476 



LITAXY FOR THE SICK. 



due to his sins, diminish his love of this world, 
and increase his desire of the next, we beseech 
thee, etc. 

That in whatever thy providence hath or- 
dained concerning him, he may readily ac- 
quiesce, and both in life and death he always 
thine, we beseech thee, etc. 

Son of God, ice beseech iliee hear us. 
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 

the world, Spare us, 0 Lord. 
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 

the world, Hear us, 0 Lord. 
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 

the world, Have mercy on us. 

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have 
mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. 
Our Father, etc. 

0 Lord, hear my prayer. And let my cry 
come unto thee. 



whose hands are life and death, 
whose infinite wisdom disposes all things 
advantageously for them who love thee, 
behold thy servant, whom thou hast 
cast upon a bed of sickness ; comfort, 



LET US PEAT. 




eternal God, in 



PRAYER BEFORE HOLY VIATICUM. 4.77 

we beseech thee, his afflicted spirit, in- 
crease his faith, strengthen his hope, 
and perfect his charity ; sanctify for 
/ him all his sufferings ; and if thy 
mercy shall restore him to his health, 
may he carefully correct the errors of 
his past life. If it please thee to call 
him out of this world, grant that he 
may pass safely through the shades of 
death, transported by thy holy angels 
into the mansions of bliss, where no 
fear shall trouble him, no pain afflict 
him, nor grief disturb the quiet of his 
mind; but pure delight, unspeakable 
joys, and perfect security shall be for- 
ever confirmed to him, through Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

A PRAYER BEFORE RECEIVING THE 
VIATICUM, OR THE HOLY COMMU- 
NION. 

ODEAR Jesus, I adore thee with all 
my heart ; I give thee thanks for 
that infinite love which thou showedst 



478 PRAYER BEFORE HOLY VIATICUM. 

to poor sinners in dying for them on 
the cross, and for thy unspeakable good- 
ness, displayed in this heavenly ban- 
quet. Hither thou art now pleased to 
invite me ; but how can I approach ? 
I who have so ungratefully offended 
thee, and who have lived so unworthy 
of my profession ! 

I acknowledge. 0 God, that I am a 
sinner, a poor miserable sinner. Thou 
alone art my hope ; to thee I raise my 
eyes, who art rich in mercy, who art 
my Advocate and most powerful Medi- 
ator. I commit my cause into thy 
hands. Help me now in my distress ; 
let thy precious blood, the infinite 
treasure of thy merits, supply all my 
deficiencies, while I partake of this 
sacred food. Thou knowest my weak- 
ness, thou knowest my unworthiness, 
thou seest how unfit I am, through the 
multitude and enormity of my sins, to 
appear before thy judgment seat. I 
tremble at that dreadful hour when my 



PRAYER BEFORE HOLY VIATICUM. 



479 



manifold transgressions shall be laid 
before me. What shall I do then, 0 
Keeper of Men ? What must become 
of me, if my iniquities are to decide 
my eternal destiny ? 0 Jesus, let me 
not go alone into that place of terror ; 
come thou into my soul ; accompany it 
to the tribunal of God ; there let all 
thy mercies plead for me ; though I 
have nothing to trust to in myself, yet 
upon thy infinite goodness I have every 
reason to rely. Let us, then, my soul, 
confidently recur to the mercies of our 
Lord ; there let us shelter ourselves 
in the virtue of his blessed wounds ; 
there, though our sins cry aloud for 
justice, his precious blood still cries 
louder for mercy. It is on this mercy 
I depend ; in this I hope, and in this 
hope I desire to die ; come, dear Jesus, 
now into my soul, and possess it for- 
ever. 

Thou art my Lord and my God ; be- 
hold I am thy servant ; give me under- 



480 PRAYER BEFORE HOLY VIATICUM. 

standing and strengthen me, that I 
may ever conform to thy holy will. 

Thou art the Lamb of God, the spot- 
less Lamb who takest away the sins of 
the world. Take from me all that is 
sinful, and give me that which is pleas- 
ing in thy sight. 

Thou art my love and my joy, my 
God, and my all ; thou art my portion 
and inheritance : it is thou who wilt 
restore my inheritance to me. 

Let the powerful force of thy love 
affect all my faculties ; let it entirely 
change my heart ; that for love of thee 
I may die to the world, who for love of 
me wast pleased to die on the cross. 

Into thy hands I commit and sur- 
render my spirit and remainder of life, 
and my whole being, whilst I am in 
possession of it, and have the power of 
making the offer and sacrifice. 



PRAYER AFTER HOLT VIATICUM. 481 



ACT OF THANKSGIVING, AFTER, 
HAVING RECEIVED THE HOLY" 
COMMUNION, OR VIATICUM. 

GLORY and thanksgiving be to thee, 
0 Lord, who in thy sweetness hast 
been pleased to visit and refresh my 
poor soul. Now let thy servant depart 
in peace., according to thy word. 

Now thou art come to me, I will not 
let thee go ; now I willingly bid fare- 
well to the world ; and with joy I go to 
thee, my God. 

Nothing more, 0 dear Jesus, noth- 
ing more shall separate me from thee. 
Now I am united to thee, in thee I will 
live, in thee I will die, and in thee I 
hope to abide forever. 

Now life seems uneasy to me ; I de- 
sire to be dissolved and be with Christ ; 
for Christ is my life, and to die will be 
my gain. 

Now I will fear no evils, though I 
walk in the shadow of death, because 

31 



482 PRAYER AFTER HOLY VIATICUM. 

thou art with me, 0 Lord ; as the hart 
pants after the fountains of water, so 
does my soul after thee ; my soul thirsts 
after the Fountain of Living Water. 
Oh, when shall I come, and appear before 
the face of my God ? 

Give me thy blessing, 0 Jesus, and 
establish my soul in everlasting peace ; 
such peace as only thou canst give — 
such peace as it may not be in the power 
of my enemy to destroy. 

Oh, that I were happily united to thee 
forever ; that I were wholly swallowed 
up and buried in thee. Oh, that my 
soul were at rest in thy happiness, and 
in the enjoyment of thee, my God, for- 
ever. 

What have I more to clo with the 
world ? And in heaven what have I to 
desire, but thee, my God ? 

Into thy hands I commend my spirit ; 
receive me, sweet Jesus ! in thee may I 
rest, and in thy happiness rejoice with- 
out end. Amen. 



PRAYER BEFORE EXTREME TXCTIOX. 483 
A PRAYER BEFORE EXTREME UXCTIOX. 

T OED Jesus Christy who, in thy great 



J-J mercy, hast provided powerful re- 
sources for all our necessities, grant me 
grace to have recourse to them with 
such dispositions that my soul may par- 
take of all those great advantages and 
salutary effects., which thou hast ap- 
pointed in their institution. Thou hast 
instituted the sacrament of Extreme 
Unction for the benefit of the sick, who 
in their extremity stand more particu- 
larly in need of grace and consolation. 
I now desire to receive this heavenly 
medicine, for the ends for which it 
has been instituted. Grant, I beseech 
thee, that this holy Unction may pro- 
duce in me all its happy fruits ; by heal- 
ing my soul, by fortifying me against all 
temptations, by supporting me in the 
hour of anguish and distress, and by 
preparing me for a happy passage, or 
for whatever may be thy holy will. If 




484 PRAYER BEFORE EXTREME UNCTION. 

thou foreseest that my health will be 
conducive to thy greater glory, and ex- 
pedient for my eternal salvation, let 
this be the means to restore it. I abso- 
lutely submit to thy will ; I wish not so 
much to live as to serve thee. Dispose 
of me as thou knowest best ; all I de- 
sire is the accomplishment of thy will. 
Give me health or sickness, life or 
death ; give me whatever thou pleasest 
— not my will, but thine be done. It 
is a greater happiness to fulfill thy will 
than to enjoy ten thousand lives. How 
happy should I be, if the destruction of 
my body could repair the injuries I have 
offered to thy divine Majesty ! My eyes, 
alas ! have seen vanities ; my ears have 
been open to detractions, to profane and 
unprofitable discourses ; my tongue has 
many ways offended both in speaking 
and tasting ; my hands have contributed 
to many follies, my feet have often 
gone astray in the paths of vanity and 
sin. By this holy anointing, and by 



PRAYEE AFTEE EXTEEME UNCTION. 485 

the prayers of thy Church, pardon me, 
0 Jesus, all the sins which I have com- 
mitted by my senses. Let those ave- 
nues, through which sin has made its 
way into my soul, be now shut to the 
world. Let my eyes be open to thee 
alone. Let my ears be attentive to thy 
commandments. Let my tongue be 
solely employed in soliciting for mercy. 
Let my prayers ascend like incense in 
thy sight. Let my hands be lifted up 
to heaven for pardon. Let my feet 
walk in thy ways, and let my heart be 
the living temple of the Holy Ghost. 
Into thy hands, 0 dear Jesus, I com- 
mend my spirit. In thee I will live, in 
thee I will die, in thee I will abide, and 
in thee I hope to possess eternal rest for- 
ever and ever. Amen. 

A PRAYER AFTER EXTREME UKCTIOK. 

OMY God, thou hast created, re- 
deemed, and sanctified me; thou 
hast preserved me in many dangers, 



486 PRAYER AFTER EXTREME UNCTION. 

both of soul and body. Thou hast 
nourished me with the adorable sac- 
rament of thy body and blood, and 
granted me to receive the rites of thy 
Church preferable to so many others, 
who were carried off by a sudden death, 
without haying been favored with those 
succors which thou hast bestowed upon 
me, a most ungrateful sinner. For 
these and all other blessings, I offer 
thee innumerable thanks ; to thee I re- 
sign my heart, receive it for a holo- 
caust. I do not desire to be freed from 
my pains ; thou knowest what is best 
for me — take from me all murmuring ! 
Give me patience to suffer whatever 
thou pleasest ; if it be thy divine pleas- 
ure to inflict on my weak body greater 
punishments than I now suffer, my 
heart is ready, 0 Lord, my heart is 
ready to accept them, and to suffer in 
whatever manner and measure shall be 
most comformable to thy will. This 
one grace I most earnestly beg of thee, 



LITANY FOR A SOUL DEPARTING. 487 

my God, that I may die the death of 
thy elect, and be admitted, after the 
sufferings and tribulations of this tran- 
sitory life, into the kingdom of thy 
glory, there to see and enjoy thee, in 
the company of the blessed, for all eter- 
nity. Amen. 



LITANY FOR A SOUL DEPARTING. 

LORD, have mercy on us. 
Christ, have mercy on us. 
Lord, have mercy on us. 
Holy Mary, Pray for Mm (her). 
All ye holy angels and archangels, 
Holy Abel, 

All ye choirs of the just, 
Holy Abraham, 
St. John the Baptist, 
St. Joseph, 

All ye patriarchs and prophets, 
SS. Peter and Paul, 
St. Andrew, 
St. John, 

All ye holy apostles and evangelists, 
All ye holy disciples of the Lord, 
All ye holy innocents, 




488 LITANY FOR A SOUL DEPARTING. 



St. Stephen, 
St. Laurence, 
All ye holy martyrs, 
St. Sylvester, 
St. Gregory, 
St. Augustine, 

All ye holy bishops and confessors, 
St. Benedict, 
St. Francis, 

All ye holy monks and hermits, 
St. Mary Magdalen, 
St. Lucy, 

All ye holy virgins and widows, 
All ye saints of God, make intercession for Mm 
(her). 

Be merciful, Spare him (her), 0 Lord. 
Be merciful, Deliver him (her), 0 Lord. 
From thy anger, 
From the danger of death, 
From an unhappy death, 
From the pains of hell, 
From all evil, 

From the power of the devil, 
By thy nativity, 
By thy cross and passion, 
By thy death and burial, 
By thy glorious resurrection, 
By thy admirable ascension, 



LITANY FOR A SOUL DEPARTING. 489 

By the grace of the Holy Ghost, the Com- 
forter, Deliver him, 0 Lord. 

In the day of judgment, Deliver him, 0 Lord, 

We, sinners, beseech thee to hear us. 

That thou spare him (her), We beseech thee to 
hear us. 

Lord, have mercy on us. 

Christ, have mercy on us. 

Lord, have mercy on us. 

LET US PRAY. 

DEPART, Christian soul, out of this 
world, in the name of God, the 
Father Almighty, who created thee : 
In the name of Jesus Christ, Son of 
the living God, who suffered for thee : 
In the name of the Holy Ghost, who 
sanctified thee : In the name of the 
angels, archangels, thrones and domina- 
tions, cherubim and seraphim : In the 
name of the patriarchs and prophets, 
of the holy apostles and evangelists, of 
the holy martyrs and confessors, of the 
holy monks and hermits, of the holy 
virgins and of all the saints of God ; 



490 LITANY FOR A SOUL DEPARTING. 



let thy place be this day in peace, and 
thy abode in holy Sion, through Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

God of mercy, God of goodness ! 0 
God, who, according to the multitude 
of thy mercies, forgivest the sins of 
such as repent, and graciously remittest 
the guilt of their past offenses, merci- 
fully regard this thy servant A 7 "., and 
grant him (her) a full discharge from 
all his (her) sins, who most earnestly 
begs it of thee. Kemove, 0 merciful 
Father, whatever is corrupt in him 
(her) through human frailty, or by the 
snares of the enemy ; make him (her) 
a true member of the Church, and let 
him (her) partake of the fruit of thy 
redemption. Have compassion, Lord, 
on his (her) tears, and admit him (her) 
to the reconciliation with thee, who has 
no hope but in thee, through Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

I recommend thee, dear brother (sis- 
ter), to Almighty God, and leave thee 



LITANY FOR A SOUL DEPARTING. 491 

to his mercy, whose creature thou art : 
that having paid the common debt, by 
surrendering thy soul, thou mayest re- 
turn to thy Maker, who formed thee 
out of the earth. Let, therefore, the 
splendid company of angels meet thy 
soul at its departure ; let the court of the 
apostles receive thee ; let the triumph- 
ant army of glorious martyrs conduct 
thee ; let the crowds of joyful confes- 
sors encompass thee ; let the choir of 
blessed virgins go before thee ; and let a 
happy rest be thy portion in the com- 
pany of the patriarchs ; let Christ Jesus 
appear to thee with a mild and cheer- 
ful countenance, and give thee a place 
among those who are to be in his pres- 
ence forever. Mayest thou be a stran- 
ger to all that which is punished with 
darkness, chastised with flames, and 
condemned to torments. Let the wicked 
enemy, with all his evil spirits, depart 
from thee ; may he tremble at thy ap- 
proach in the company of angels, and 



492 LITANY FOR A SOUL DEPARTING. 

retire into the horrid confusion of eter- 
nal night. May thy God arise, and thy 
enemies be put to flight. May all who 
hate him fly before his face. Let them 
vanish like smoke ; and, as wax before 
the fire, so let sinners perish in the 
sight of God ; but for the just, let them 
rejoice and be happy in his presence. 
May all the ministers of hell be filled 
with confusion and shame, and let no 
eyil spirit dare to stop thee in thy way. 
Christ Jesus be thy deliverer, who was 
crucified for thee. Christ Jesus deliver 
thee from death, who vouchsafed to die 
for thee. Christ Jesus, Son of the liv- 
ing God, place thee in his garden of 
paradise, and may he, the true Shep- 
herd, own thee for one of his flock. 
May he absolve thee from all thy sins, 
and place thee at his right hand in the 
inheritance of his elect. We pray it 
may be thy happy lot to behold thy 
Redeemer face to face, to be ever in his 
presence, and in the vision of that truth, 



LITANY FOR A SOUL DEPARTING. 493 

which is the joy of the blessed, and 
thus, placed among those happy spirits, 
mayest thou be ever filled with heavenly 
sweetness. Amen. 

Keceive thy servant, 0 Lord, into the 
place of salvation, which he (she) hopes 
from thy mercy. R. Amen. 

Deliver, 0 Lord, the soul of thy ser- 
vant from all dangers of hell, from 
all pain and tribulation. R. Amen. 

Deliver, 0 Lord, the soul of thy ser- 
vant, as thou deliveredst Enoch and 
Elias from the common death of the 
world. R. Amen. 

Deliver, 0 Lord, the soul of thy ser- 
vant, as thou deliveredst Xoah from 
the flood. R. Amen. 

Deliver, 0 Lord, the soul of thy ser- 
vant, as thou deliveredst Abraham from 
the midst of the Chaldeans. R. Amen. 

Deliver, 0 Lord, the soul of thy ser- 
vant, as thou deliveredst Job from all 
his afflictions. R. Amen. 

Deliver, 0 Lord, the soul of thy ser- 



494 LITANY FOR A SOUL DEPARTING. 

vant, as thou deliveredst Isaac from be- 
ing sacrificed by his father. R. Amen. 

Deliver, 0 Lord, the soul of thy 
servant, as thou deliveredst Lot 
from Sodom, and the flames of fire. 
R. Amen. 

Deliver, 0 Lord, the soul of thy ser- 
vant, as thou deliveredst Moses from 
the hand of Pharaoh, King of Egypt. 
R. Amen. 

Deliver, 0 Lord, the soul of thy ser- 
vant, as thou deliveredst Daniel from 
the lions' den. R. Amen. 

Deliver, 0 Lord, the soul of thy ser- 
vant, as thou deliveredst the three chil- 
dren from the fiery furnace, and from 
the hands of an unmerciful king. 
R. Amen. 

Deliver, 0 Lord, the soul of thy ser- 
vant, as thou deliveredst Susanna from 
her false accusers. R. Amen. 

Deliver, 0 Lord, the soul of thy ser- 
vant, as thou deliveredst David from the 
hands of Saul and Goliath. R. Amen. 



LITANY FOR A SOUL DEPARTING. 495 

Deliver, 0 Lord, the soul of thy ser- 
vant, as thou deliveredst Peter and 
Paul out of prison. R. Amen. 

And as thou deliveredst that blessed 
virgin and martyr, St. Thecla, from 
most cruel torments, so vouchsafe to 
deliver the soul of this thy servant, and 
bring it to the participation of thy 
heavenly joys. R. Amen. 

LET ITS PRAY. 

E commend to thee, 0 Lord, the 
soul of this thy servant, and be- 
seech thee, Jesus Christ, Kedeemer of 
the world, that as in mercy to him (her) 
thou becamest man, so now thou wouldst 
vouchsafe to admit him (her) into the 
number of the blessed. Bern ember, 0 
Lord, he (she) is thy creature, not made 
by strange gods, but by thee, the only 
true and living God ; for there is no 
other God but thee, none that can work 
thy wonders. Let his (her) soul find 
comfort in thy sight, and remember not 




496 LITANY FOR A SOUL DEPARTING. 

his (her) former sins, nor any of those 
excesses which he (she) has fallen into, 
through the violence of passion and 
corruption. For although he (she) has 
sinned, he (she) hath retained a true 
faith in thee, Father, Son, and Holy 
Ghost ; he (she) has had zeal for thy 
honor, and faithfully adored thee, his 
(her) God and Creator of all things. 

Eemember not, 0 Lord, we beseech 
thee, the sins and ignorance of his (her) 
youth ; but, according to thy great 
mercy, be mindful of him (her) in thy 
eternal glory. Let the heavens be open 
to him (her), and the angels rejoice 
with him (her). Eeceive, 0 Lord, thy 
servant into thy kingdom. Let the 
archangel, St. Michael, the chief of the 
heavenly host, conduct him (her). Let 
the holy angels of God meet him (her), 
and bring him (her) into the city of 
the heavenly Jerusalem. May blessed 
Peter, the apostle to whom were given 
the keys of the kingdom of heaven, re- 



AN ACT OF THANKSGIVING. 497 



ceive him (her). May holy Paul, the 
apostle, who was a vessel of election, 
help him (her). May St. John, the 
beloved disciple, to whom God revealed 
the secrets of heaven, intercede for him 
(her). May all the holy apostles, to 
whom was given the power of binding 
and loosing, pray for him (her). May 
all the blessed and chosen servants of 
God, who in this world have suffered 
torments for the name of Christ, pray 
for him (her). That being delivered 
from this body of corruption, he (she) 
may be admitted into the kingdom of 
heaven, through the assistance and 
merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, who 
liveth and reigneth with the Father and 
the Holy Ghost, world without end. 
Amen. 

If the dying person be in his senses, the 
following Acts may be made : 

AN ACT OF THANKSGIVING. 

OMY God ! you have created, re- 
deemed, and sanctified me. You 

32 



493 AX ACT OF COXTRITIOX. 

have preserved me in many dangers both 
of soul and body. Yon have fed me 
with thy most blessed body and blood. 
Yon have shown immense patience in 
bearing with my repeated crimes, and 
often called me to repentance. For 
those and all other blessings bestowed 
on me, a most ungrateful sinner, I offer 
you innumerable thanks. 

ACT OF RESIGXATTOX. 

OMY God, I cheerfully receive the 
certain summons of my death. It 
is a greater happiness to fulfill your 
will than to enjoy ten thousand lives. 
0 happy news of my departure ! I shall 
soon hear the choirs of angels sing 
your immortal praises. Let slow death 
hasten on, htat dying I may uo more 
offend you, but live with you, and love 
you eternally. 

ACT OF COXTRITIOX. 

I AM truly and heartily sorry for all 
my sins, not through the fear of 



LITANY FOR A SOUL DEPARTING. 499 

hell, or hope of reward ; but for the 
love of thee, my one and only God ; 
and were I beginning, as I am ending 
my life, I would not offend thee for a 
thousand worlds. 0 my God, do not 
despise a contrite and humble heart. 

If the sick party still continues in distress 
of agony, it would be proper for the assistants 
to read again the foregoing Litany and Pray- 
ers, as often as may be necessary. 

The soul being now departed, the following 
Responsory is said : 

JR. Come to his (her) assistance, all ye saints 
of God ; meet him (her), all ye angels of the 
Lord ; * Receiving his (her) soul ; * Present- 
ing it in the sight of the Most High. 

V. May Christ, who called thee, receive 
thee, and the angels conduct thee into the 
bosom of Abraham. 

i?. Receiving his (her) soul, and presenting 
it in the sight of the Most High. 

V. Eternal rest grant him (her), O Lord. 

M. And let perpetual light shine unto him 
(her). Presenting it in the sight of the Most 
High. 

V. Lord, have mercy on us. 
JR. Christ, have mercy on us. 
V. Lord, have mercy on us. 



500 LITANY FOR A SOUL DEPARTING. 



Our Father, etc, 

V. And lead us not into temptation. 
B. But deliver us from evil. 
V. Eternal rest grant Mm (her), O Lord. 
B. And let perpetual light shine unto him 
(her). 

V. From the gates of hell. 

B. Deliver his (her) soul, 0 Lord. 

V. 0 Lord, hear my prayer. 

B. And let my supplication come to thee. 

LET US PRAY. 

TO thee, 0 Lord, we commend the 
soul of thy servant N., that being 
dead to this world he (she) may live to 
thee. And whatever sins he (she) has 
committed through human frailty we 
beseech thee in thy goodness mercifully 
to pardon, through Christ our Lord. 
R. Amen. 

Then, for a conclusion, may be added the 
following prayer for the assistants : 

Grant, 0 Lord, that while we here 
lament the departure of thy servant, 
we may ever remember that we are most 
certainly to follow him (her). Give us 



LITANY FOB THE DEAD. 501 

grace to prepare for that last hour, by a 
good life, that we may not be surprised 
by a sudden death, but be ever watch- 
ing when thou shalt call, that so with 
the Spouse we may enter into eternal 
glory, through Christ our Lord. R. 
Amen. 



PAET III. 



gpttiwl QtwtxttM to the post IMjj 
®vini% tcr mtv Ww&t his *§ltm& 
pother mA his saints. 

i. 

DEVOTIONS TO THE MOST HOLY 
TRINITY. 

LITANY OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY. 

T ORD, have mercy on us. 
*J Christ, have mercy on us. 
Lord, have mercy on us. 
O Father, from whom are all things, 
O Son, through whom are all things, 
O Holy Ghost, in whom are all things, 
0 Holy and undivided Trinity, one God, 
0 incomprehensible Majesty, 
O immutable Power, 
O infinite Wisdom, 
O exhaustless Goodness, 
O Dignity the source of all dominion, 
O Divinity the fountain of all law, 
0 eternal Truth, 

502 



LITANY OF THE HOLY TRINITY. 

0 King Almighty God, 

Thou, who art the sole one God, 

Thou, in whom we live, and move, and 

have our being, 
Thou, whose Majesty filleth the whole 

earth, 

Thou, to whom alone is due all honor and 
glory, 

Thou, who dost console us in our tribula- 
tion, 

Thou, who alone doest wonderful things, 
Thou, who art, and wast, and art to come, 
Thou, who in judgment art just and ter- 
rible, 

Thou, who in thy kingdom art glorious 

and admirable, 
O Father, the unbegotten Principle, 
0 gon, the only begotten of the Father, 
0 Holy Spirit, who proceedest from the 

Father and the Son, 
0 most blessed Trinity, one only God, 
Be merciful, 

Spare us, 0 Lord. 
Be merciful, 

Graciously hear us, 0 Lord. 
From all evil, O Lord deliver us. 
From all sin, 0 Lord deliver us. 
From all unbelief, 0 Lord deliver us. 



504 LITAXY OF THE HOLY TRINITY. 



From the transgression of thy command- ^ 
ments, 

From the contempt of thy gifts, 

From the neglect of thy sacraments, 

From the eternal death, 

Through thine almighty power, 

Through thy wisdom, 

Through thy infinite goodness, 

Through thy great mercy, 

Through thy patience and long waiting, 

We sinners, beseech thee to hear us. 

That thou grant us always and every- 
where to confess thee, the one, true, 
living God, 

That thou grant us to revere thee, the one 
God in Trinity, and to adore the Trin- 
ity in thy unity, 

That it please thee to enable us to love 
thee with our whole hearts, 

That thou vouchsafe to protect and to > 
save the people consecrated to thy 
name, 

That thou grant to those who wander 
from truth and holiness the light to 
guide them back to thy ways, 

That thou give eternal rest to all the faith- 
ful departed, 

That thou do now accept our prayer, 



LITANY OF THE HOLY TBLNTTY. 505 



O Blessed Trinity, deliver us ! 

O blessed Trinity, save us ! 

O blessed Trinity, vivify us ! 

Lord, have mercy on us. 

Christ, have mercy on us. 

Lord, have mercy on us. 
V. Let us bless the Father, and the Son, 
together with the Holy Ghost. 

B. Let us praise and exalt them above all 
things forever. 

V. Blessed art thou in the firmament of 
heaven. 

R. And worthy to be praised, and glorious, 
and exalted above all forever. 

V. May God, our own God, bless us. 

R. And all the ends of the earth fear 
him. 

Let us Pray : 0 Almighty and ever- 
lasting God, who hast granted thy ser- 
vants, in the confession of the true 
faith, to acknowledge the glory of an 
eternal Trinity, and in the power of 
majesty to adore a Unity ; we beseech 
thee that by the strength of this faith 
we may be defended from all adversity. 
Through, etc. 



506 LITANY OF THE HOLY TRINITY. 



A UNIVERSAL PRAYER FOR ALL THINGS 
NECESSARY TO SALTATION. 

OMY God, I believe in thee ; do thou 
strengthen my faith. All my hopes 
are in thee ; do thou secure them. I 
love thee with my whole heart ; teach 
me to love thee daily more and more. I 
am sorry that I have offended thee ; do 
thou increase my sorrow. 

I adore thee as my first beginning. I 
aspire after thee as my last end. I give 
thee thanks as my constant benefactor. 
I call upon thee as my sovereign protec- 
tor. 

Vouchsaf e, 0 my God, to conduct me 
by thy wisdom, to restrain me by thy 
justice, to comfort me by thy mercy, to 
defend me by thy power. 

To thee I desire to consecrate all my 
thoughts, words, actions, and suffer- 
ings ; that henceforward I may think of 
thee, speak of thee, willingly refer all 
my actions to thy greater glory, and 



LITANY OF THE HOLY TRINITY. 507 

suffer willingly whatever thou shalt ap- 
point. 

Lord, I desire that in all things thy 
will may be done, because it is thy will, 
and in the manner thou wiliest. 

I beg of thee to enlighten my under- 
standing, to inflame my will, to purify 
my body, and to sanctify my soul. 

Give me strength, 0 my God, to ex- 
piate my offenses, to overcome my temp- 
tations, to subdue my passions, and to 
acquire the virtues proper for my state. 

Fill my heart with a tender affection 
for thy goodness, a hatred for my faults, 
a love for my neighbor, and contempt 
for the world. 

Let me always remember to be sub- 
missive to my superiors, condescending 
to my inferiors, faithful to my friends, 
and charitable to my enemies. 

Assist me to overcome sensuality by 
mortification, avarice by alms-deeds, 
anger by meekness, and tepidity by de- 
votion. 



508 LITANY OF THE HOLT TRINITY. 

0 my God, make me prudent in my 
undertakings, courageous in dangers, 
patient in afflictions, and humble in 
prosperity. 

Grant that I mar ever he attentive at 
my prayers, temperate at my meals, 
diligent in my employments, and con- 
stant in my resolutions. 

Let my conscience he ever upright 
and pure, my exterior modest, my con- 
versation edifying, and my comport- 
ment regular. 

Assist me, that I may continually la- 
bor to overcome nature, to correspond 
with thy grace, to keep thy command- 
ments, and to work out my salvation. 

Discover to me, 0 my God. the no- 
thingness of this world, the greatness of 
Heaven, the shortness of time, and the 
length of eternity. 

Grant that I may prepare for death ; 
that I may fear thy judgments : that I 
may escape hell : and. in the end, obtain 
Heaven, through the merits of our Lord 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 



n. 



PiDotiott0 to our £orir. 

DEVOTIONS TO TEE SACRED HEART OF JESUS. 

" T WILL rejoice over tliem when I shall do 
* them good : and I will plant them in this 
land in truth, with my whole heart and with 
all my soul." {Jeremias xxxii. 41.) 

The frequent and fervent recalling to mind 
of this incomprehensible goodness, which 
could not rest and he satisfied till it had given 
us all that God could give, ' ' with my whole 
heart and with all my soul/' is the form 
which the devotion of the modern Catholic 
world has taken, at the bidding of Christ 
himself, and with the express and reiterated 
sanction of the Holy See. 

It is most fit that we should remember con- 
tinually how he, our God and our Friend, hath 
"emptied himself, taking the form of a ser- 
vant," how he hath " humbled himself, be- 
coming obedient unto death, even to the death 
of the cross ; " and what a wealth of honor, 
glory, life, and joy he hath bestowed upon us 
through his shameful sufferings and bitter 

509 



510 DEVOTIONS TO THE SACRED HEART. 

death. And what more befitting that we 
should do in return for all this, than to cul- 
tivate and foster in our souls the deepest 
and tenderest feelings of gratitude, love, and 
true personal friendship toward that Mighty 
Heart pierced for us in death, and all our 
own ever since ! 

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED 
HEART OF JESUS. 

TO thee, 0 sacred Heart of Jesus, to 
thee I devote and offer up my life, 
thoughts, words, actions, pains, and 
sufferings. May the least part of my 
"being be no longer employed, save only 
in loving, serving, honoring, and glo- 
rifying thee. Wherefore, 0 most sa- 
cred Heart, be thou the sole object of 
my love, the protector of my life, the 
pledge of my salvation, and my secure 
refuge at the hour of my death. Be 
thou, 0 most bountiful Heart, my jus- 
tification at the throne of God, and 
screen me from his anger, which I have 
so justly merited. In thee I place all 



LITANY OF THE SACRED HEART. 511 



my confidence ; and, convinced as I am 
of my own weakness, I rely entirely on 
thy bounty. Annihilate in me all that 
is displeasing and offensive to thy pure 
eye. Imprint thyself like a divine 
seal on my heart, that I may ever re- 
member my obligation, never to be sep- 
arated from thee. May my name also, 
I beseech thee by thy tender bounty, 
be written in the Book of Life ; and 
may I ever be a victim consecrated to 
thy glory, ever burning with the flame 
of thy pure love, and entirely penetrat- 
ed with it for eternity. In this I place 
all my happiness — this is all my desire, 
to live and die in no other condition 
than that of thy devoted servant. 
Amen. 

THE LITANY OF THE SACRED HEART. 

T ORD, have mercy on us. 

Christ, have mercy on us. 
Lord, have mercy on us. 
Christ, hear us. 
Christ, graciously hear us. 



512 LITANY OF THE SACRED HEART. 

O God the Father of heaven, 

0 God the Son, Redeemer of the world, 

O God the Holy Ghost, 

O Holy Trinity, one God, 

Heart of Jesus, 

Heart of Jesus formed of the substance of 
the most Blessed Virgin, 

Heart of Jesus, hypostatically united to 
the eternal Word, 

Heart of Jesus, sanctuary of the Divi- 
nity, 

Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the most 

holy Trinity, 
Heart of Jesus, temple of all sanctity, 
Heart of Jesus, fountain of all graces, 
Heart of J esus, most meek, 
Heart of Jesus, most humble, 
Heart of Jesus, most obedient, 
Heart of Jesus, most chaste, 
Heart of Jesus, furnace of love, 
Heart of Jesus, source of contrition, 
Heart of Jesus, treasure of wisdom, 
Heart of Jesus, ocean of bounty, 
Heart of Jesus, throne of mercy, 
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues, 
Heart of Jesus, sorrowful in the Garden, 
Heart of Jesus, spent with a bloody 

sweat, 



LITANY OF THE SACRED HEART. 513 



Heart of Jesus, glutted with reproaches, 
Heart of Jesus, consumed for our sins, 
Heart of Jesus, made obedient even unto 

the death of the Cross, 
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, 
Heart of Jesus, refuge of sinners, 
Heart of Jesus, fortitude of the just, 
Heart of Jesus, comfort of the afflicted, 
Heart of Jesus, main strength of the 

tempted, 
Heart of Jesus, terror of devils, 
Heart of Jesus, sanctification of hearts, 
Heart of Jesus, perseverance of the good, 
Heart of Jesus, hope of the dying, 
Heart of Jesus, joy of the blessed, 
Heart of Jesus, the delight of all the 

saints, 

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 

the world, Spare us, 0 Jesus ! 
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 

the world, Hear us, 0 Jesus ! 
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 

the world, Have mercy on us, 0 Jesus / 

V. 0 most sacred Heart of Jesus, have 
mercy on us. 

B. That we may worthily love thee with 
our whole hearts. 
33 



514 LITANY OF THE SACRED HEART. 



LET US PRAY. 

OGOD ! who out of thy immense 
love hast given to the faithful the 
most sacred Heart of thy Son, our 
Lord, as the object of thy tender affec- 
tion, grant, we beseech thee, that we 
may so love and honor this pledge of 
thy lore on earth, as by it to merit the 
love both of thee and of thy gift, and 
be eternally loved by thee and this most 
blessed Heart in Heaven. Through the 
same Jesus Christ our Lord, thy Son, 
who liveth and reigneth with thee in 
the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, 
world without end. Amen. 

Through thy sacred Heart, 0 Jesus, 
overflowing with all sweetness, we re- 
commend to thee ourselves and all our 
concerns, our friends, benefactors, pa- 
rents, and relatives, our superiors, and 
enemies ; take under thy protection 
this house, city, and kingdom ; extend 
this thy care to all such as are under 



DEVOTIONS TO THE SACRED HEART. 515 

any affliction, and to those who labor 
in the agony and pangs of death ; cast 
an eye of compassion on the obstinate 
sinner, and more particularly on the 
poor suffering souls in purgatory, as 
also on those who are engaged and 
united with us in the holy confedera- 
cy of honoring and worshiping thee. 
Bless these in particular, 0 bountiful 
Jesus ! and bless them according to the 
extent of thy infinite goodness, mercy, 
and charity. Amen. 

AN INVITATION ; OR, THE DEVOUT SOUL'S 
REPAIR TO THE SACRED HEART. 

A LL the faithful adorers of Jesus are invited 



to repair in spirit every day, at nine 
o'clock in the morning and four in the even- 
ing, to his divine Heart, in order to make in 
common some of the following aspirations : 

0 most sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy 
on us. 

0 divine Heart, wounded for the love of us, 
let us ever be sensible of thy bounty, and let 
thy love ever plead in our favor. 




516 DEVOTIONS TO THE SACRED HEART. 

O Heart of Jesus, burning with love of us, 
inflame our hearts with the love of thee. 

Blessed be the most adorable Heart of Jesus, 
my God, forever and ever. 

No love, no heart equals thine, most loving 
Jesus. 

O may thy adorable Heart be forever 
praised, and all thanks both in time and eter- 
nity paid to it. 

O adorable Heart of Jesus, mayest thou be 
known, loved, and adored, throughout the 
whole world. 

O divine Fire, ever burning, and never 
ceasing, raise my heart into a flame,* that I 
may always love, and never cease from loving 
thee. 

THE REPARATION OF HONOR TO THE SACRED 
HEART, TO BE MADE ON THE FEAST IT- 
SELF, OR AT ANY OTHER TIME, IN PRES- 
ENCE OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. 

OMOST amiable and adorable Heart of 
Jesus, center of all hearts, glowing with 
charity, and inflamed with zeal for the inter- 
est of thy Father, and the salvation of man- 
kind ! 0 Heart, ever sensible of our misery, 
and ever in motion to redress our evils, the 
real victim of love in the Holy Eucharist, and 



DEVOTIONS TO THE SACRED HEART. 517 

propitiatory sacrifice for sin on the altar of the 
cross ! seeing that the generality of Christians 
make no other return for these thy mercies 
than contempt of thy favors, forgetfulness of 
their own obligation, and ingratitude to the 
best of benefactors, is it not just that we, thy 
servants, penetrated with the deepest sense of 
the like indignities, should enter upon a due 
and satisfactory reparation of honor to thy 
most sacred Majesty ? Prostrate, therefore, in 
body, and humbled in mind, before heaven and 
earth, we solemnly declare our utter detesta- 
tion and abhorrence of such conduct. Inex- 
pressible, we know, was the bitterness which 
the multitude of our sins brought on thy ten- 
der heart ; insufferable the weight of our ini- 
quities, which pressed thy face to the earth in 
the Garden of Olives ; and insurmountable thy 
anguish, when expiring with love, grief, and 
agony on Mount Calvary, in thy last breath 
thou wouldst reclaim sinners to their duty 
and repentance. This we know, 0 dear Re- 
deemer ! and would most willingly redress 
these thy sufferings by our own, or share with 
thee in thine. 

O merciful Jesus, ever present on our altars, 
and with a heart open to receive all who labor 
and are burdened/ O adorable Heart of 



518 DEVOTIONS TO THE SACKED HEART. 

Jesus, source of true contrition, impart to our 
hearts the true spirit of penance, and to our 
eyes a fountain of tears, that we may bewail 
and wash off our sins and those of the world. 
Pardon, divine Jesus, all the injuries, re- 
proaches, and outrages done thee, through 
the course of thy holy life and bitter pas- 
sion. Pardon all the impieties, irreverences, 
and sacrileges which have been committed 
against thee in the sacrament of the Eucharist, 
from its first institution. Graciously receive 
the small tribute of our sincere repentance, as 
an agreeable offering in thy sight, and in re- 
quital for the benefits we daily receive from 
the altar, where thou art a living and con- 
tinual sacrifice, and in union of that bloody 
holocaust thou didst present to thy eternal 
Father on Mount Calvary from the cross. 

Sweet Jesus ! give thy blessing to the ar- 
dent desire we now entertain, and the holy 
resolution we have taken of ever loving and 
adoring thee after a proper manner in the 
sacrament of love, the Eucharist ; thus to re- 
pair by a true conversion of heart, and a 
becoming zeal for thy glory, our past negli- 
gence and infidelity. Be thou, 0 adorable 
Heart, who knowest the clay of which we 
are formed, be thou our mediator with thy 



DEVOTIONS TO THE SACRED HEART. 519 



heavenly Father, whom we have so grievously 
offended : strengthen our weakness, confirm 
our resolution, and, with thy charity, hu- 
mility, meekness, and patience, cover the 
multitude of our iniquities ; be thou our sup- 
port, our refuge, and cur strength, that no- 
thing henceforth in life or death may separate 
us from thee. Amen. 

THE PRAYER OF S. GERTRUDE TO THE 
HEART OP JESUS. 

HAIL, 0 sacred Heart of Jesus ! liv- 
ing and quickening source of eter- 
nal life, infinite treasury of the divin- 
ity, burning furnace of divine love ! 
Thou art my refuge and my sanctua- 
ry. 0 my amiable Saviour, consume 
my heart with that burning fire, with 
which thine is ever inflamed; pour down 
on my soul those graces which flow 
from thy love, and let my heart be so 
united with thine, that our wills may 
be one, and mine in all things con- 
formed to thine. May thine be the 
standard and rule of my desires, and of 
my actions. Amen. 



520 DEVOTIONS TO THE SACRED HEART. 



PRAYER OP THE BLESSED MARGARET 
MARY. 

ETEENAL Father, suffer me to offer 
thee the heart of Jesus Christ, thy 
beloved Son, as he himself offered it in 
sacrifice to thee. Eeceive this offering 
for me, as well as all the desires, senti- 
ments, affections, movements, and acts 
of this sacred heart. They are all mine, 
since he offered himself for me, and 
henceforth I wish to have no other de- 
sires but his. Eeceive them in satisfac- 
tion for my sins, and in thanksgiving 
for all thy benefits. Grant me through 
his merits all the graces necessary for 
my salvation, especially that of final 
perseverance. Eeceive them as so many 
acts of love, adoration, and praise, 
which I offer to thy divine Majesty, 
since it is through the heart of Jesus 
that thou art worthily honored and 
glorified. Amen. 



DEVOTIONS TO THE SACRED HEART. 521 

PRAYER OF ST. ALPHOKSUS DE LIGUORI 
TO THE SACRED HEART. 

0 ADORABLE heart of my Jesus, 
heart created expressly for the love 
of men, until now I have shown to- 
ward thee only ingratitude. Pardon 
me, 0 my Jesus. Heart of my Jesus, 
abyss of love and of mercy, how is it 
possible that I do not die of sorrow 
when I reflect on thy goodness to me 
and my ingratitude to thee ? Thou, my 
Creator, after having created me, hast 
given thy blood and thy life for me ; 
and, not content with this, thou hast 
invented a means of offering thyself up 
every day for me in the holy Eucharist, 
exposing thyself to a thousand insults 
and outrages. Ah, Jesus, do thou 
wound my heart with a great contrition 
for my sins, and a lively love for thee. 
Through thy tears and thy blood give 
me the grace of perseverance in thy 
fervent love until my last breath. 
Amen. 



522 ASPIRATIONS OF LOVE TO JESUS. 

Inseparably connected with this beautiful 
devotion to the Sacred Heart of our dear Lord, 
are all the practices of piety relating to his 
passion as well as to the Most Holy Sacra- 
ment. We cannot too earnestly insist on this. 
The most powerful remedy to the skepticism 
and unbelief of our age, consists in making 
the person of our Redeemer and the memory 
of his labors, his sufferings, and his overflow- 
ing generosity toward man, a living and ever- 
present reality to their souls. Make, in your 
families and households, your own hearts, like 
so many reservoirs filled brimful of the love 
of Jesus Christ, of Jesus crucified especially, 
and that love will overflow into the hearts 
of all around you. You have your crucifix, 
study it, try to understand what divine char- 
acters are those wounds of Love suffering for 
mankind, ask of the Holy Spirit to open your 
eyes and enable you to read these lessons 
aright, and to touch your heart that you may 
feel how he hath loved you " with his whole 
heart and with all his soul." 



&!je iOat) of tije (Cross. 

IT was a very frequent and most touching 
devotion of Christians in former times to 
make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land of Pales- 
tine, where our Blessed Redeemer lived and 
died, and there to visit every spot of ground 
which had been made sacred by his presence, 
and especially those which were known as 
the stations of his passion and death, and to 
honor these holy places by prayer and by 
penance. Afterward, when the Holy Land 
had fallen into the hands of the infidel Sara- 
cens, and Christians could no longer make 
this pilgrimage with safety, this exercise of 
the way of the cross was invented as a sub- 
stitute. Pictures representing the most mov- 
ing and remarkable events of our Lord's pas- 
sion, from the time of his sentence to his 
burial, are hung about the walls of the 
church, and by visiting these in succession, 
and praying before each one, we are able in 
some manner to imitate the devotion of Cath- 
olics of other days, although by a pilgrimage 
far less long and painful. The Way of the 

523 



524 THE WAY OF THE CEOSS. 

Cross, in its present form, was instituted in 
the middle of the fourteenth century by the 
Franciscans. The Sovereign Pontiffs have 
attached to it many indulgences, which are 
too numerous to mention heie. Any one who 
is in a state of grace may gain these indul- 
gences by making the round of these four- 
teen stations, meditating before each one 
upon the mystery it represents. 2s o form of 
prayer is required, nor is it necessary that 
these meditations should be long (8. G. Ind., 
22d Sept., 1829 ; do. 7th April, 1831). As for 
those to whom it is impossible to fulfill these 
conditions, either because they cannot medi- 
tate, or are unable to visit the stations, they 
may make the way of the cross in another 
manner, by means of a crucifix indulgenced 
for this purpose. These gain all the indul- 
gences by holding the crucifix in their hand, 
and reciting fourteen times the Patek, Ave, 
and Gloria ; then five times Pater, Ave, 
and Gloria, in honor of tie five wounds of 
our Lord ; and finally one Pater, Ave, and 
Gloria, for the intention of the Sovereign 
Pontiff. 

The following beautiful method of per- 
forming this devotion is from the pen of St. 
Alphonsus : 



THE WAY OF THE CROSS. 



525 



PRAYER BEFORE THE HIGH ALTAR. 

0 JESUS CHRIST, my Lord ! with 
what great love thou didst pass over 
this painful road, which led thee to 
death ; and I — how often I have aban- 
doned thee ! But now, I love thee with 
my whole soul, and because I love thee, 
I am sincerely sorry for having offended 
thee. My Jesus, pardon me, and per- 
mit me to accompany thee in this jour- 
ney. Thou art going to die for love of 
me, and it is my wish also, 0 my dear- 
est Redeemer ! to die for love of thee. 
Oh, yes, my Jesus ! in thy love I wish to 
live, in thy love I wish to die. 

FIUST STATION. 

Jesus is condemned to Death. 
V. We adore thee, O Christ ! and praise 



B. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast re- 
deemed the world. 

/CONSIDER how Jesus, after having been 
^ scourged and crowned with thorns, was 



thee. 



526 



THE WAY OF THE CROSS. 




unjustly condemned by Pilate to die on the 
Cross. Pause awhile. 

My adorable Jesus ! it was not Pilate ; no, 
it was my sins that condemned thee to die. I 
beseech thee, by the merits of this sorrowful 
journey, to assist my soul in her journey to- 
ward eternity. I love thee, my beloved Je- 
sus ; I love thee more than myself ; I repent 
with my whole heart of having offended thee. 
Never permit me to separate myself from 
thee again. Grant that I may love thee al- 
ways ; and then do with me what thou wilt. 

Out Father. Hail, Mary. Glory be, etc. 
0 Jesus ! who, for love of me, 
Didst bear thy cross to Calvary ; 
In thy sweet mercy grant to me 
To suffer and to die with thee. 

SECOND STATION. 

Jesus is made to hear his Cross. 
V. We adore thee, 0 Christ ! and praise 
thee. 

R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast re- 
deemed the world. 

/^OXSIDER how Jesus, in making this jour- 



^ ney with the cross on his shoulders, 
thought of us, and offered for us to his Fa- 



THE WAY OF THE CROSS. 52T 

ther the death, lie was about to undergo. 
Pause awhile. 

My most beloved Jesus ! I embrace all the 
tribulations thou has destined for me until 
death. I beseech thee, by the merits of the 
pain thou didst suffer in carrying thy cross, to 
give me the necessary help to carry mine 
with perfect patience and resignation. I love 
thee, Jesus, my love ! above all things ; I re- 
pent with my whole heart of having offended 
thee. Never permit me to separate myself 
from thee again. Grant that I may love thee 
always, and then do with me what thou wilt. 

Our Father. Hail, Mary. Glory be, etc. 

0 Jesus ! who, for love of me, 
Didst bear thy cross to Calvary ; 
In thy sweet mercy grant to me 
To suffer and to die with thee. 

THIRD STATION. 

Jesus falls the First Time under Ms Cross. 
V. We adore thee, 0 Christ ! and praise 
thee. 

B. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast re- 
deemed the world. 

pOXSIDER this first fall of Jesus, under his 
^ cross; his flesh was torn by the scourges, 



528 THE WAY OF THE CROSS. 

his head crowned with thorns, and he had lost 
a great quantity of blood. He was so weak- 
ened he could scarcely walk, and yet he had 
to carry this great load upon his shoulders. 
The soldiers struck him rudely, and thus he 
fell several times. Pause awhile. 

My Jesus, it is not the weight of the Cross, 
but of my sins, which has made thee suffer so 
much pain. Ah ! by the merits of this first 
fall, deliver me from the misfortune of falling 
into mortal sin. * I love thee, O my Jesus ! I 
repent with my whole heart of having offend- 
ed thee. Never permit me to separate my- 
self from thee again. Grant that I may love 
thee always ; and then do with me what 
thou wilt. 

Our Father. Hail, Mary. Glory be, etc. 
O Jesus ! who, for love of me, 
Didst bear thy cross to Calvary ; 
In thy sweet mercy grant to me 
To suffer and to die with thee. 

fourth station. 
Jesus meets his afflicted Mother. 
V. We adore thee, 0 Christ ! and praise 
thee. 

R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast re- 
deemed the world. 



THE WAY OF THE CROSS. 



529 



pONSIDER the meeting of the Son and the 
^ Mother, which took place on this journey. 
Their looks became like so many arrows to 
wound those hearts which loved each oxher so 
tenderly. Pause awhile. 

My sweet Jesus, by the sorrow thou didst 
experience in this meeting, grant me the grace 
of a truly devoted love for thy most holy 
Mother. And thou, my queen, who wast 
overwhelmed with sorrow, obtain for me, by 
thy intercession, a continual and tender re- 
membrance of the passion of thy Son. I love 
thee, Jesus, my love, above all things ; I re- 
pent of ever having offended thee. Xever 
permit me to separate myself from thee again. 
Grant that I may love thee always ; and then 
do with me what thou wilt. 

Our Father. Hail, Mary. Glory he, etc. 
0 Jesus ! who, for love of me, 
Didst bear thy cross to Calvary ; 
In thy sweet mercy grant to me 
To suffer and to die with thee. 

FIFTH STATION. 

The Cyrenian helps Jesus to carry his Cross. 

V. We adore thee, 0 Christ ! and praise 
thee. 



530 THE WAY OF THE CROSS. 

R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast re- 
deemed the world. 

CONSIDER how the Jews, seeing that at 
each step J esus was on the point of expir- 
ing, and fearing he would die on the way, 
when they wished him to die the ignominious 
death of the cross, constrained Simon the Cy- 
renian to carry the cross behind our Lord. 
Pause awhile. 

My most beloved Jesus ! I will not refuse 
the cross as the Cyrenian did ; I accept it ; I 
embrace it. I accept in particular the death 
thou hast destined for me, with all its pains ; 
I unite it to thy death, I offer it to thee. 
Thou hast died for love of me : I will die for 
love of thee. Help me by thy grace. I love 
thee, Jesus, my love, above all things ; I re- 
pent with my whole heart of having offended 
thee. Never permit me to separate myself 
from thee again. Grant that I may love thee 
always ; and then do with me what thou 
wilt. 

Our Father. Hail, Mary, Glory he, etc. 

0 Jesus ! who, for love of me, 
Didst bear thy cross to Calvary ; 
In thy sweet mercy grant to me 
To suffer and to die with thee. 



THE TV AY OF THE CROSS. 



531 



SIXTH STATION". 

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. 

V* We adore thee, 0 Christ ! and praise 
thee. 

E. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast 
redeemed the world. 

/CONSIDER how the holy woman named 
^ Veronica, seeing Jesus so ill used, and his 
face bathed in sweat and blood, presented him 
with a towel, with which he wiped his adora- 
ble face, leaving on it the impression of his 
holy countenance. Pause awhile. 

My most beloved Jesus, thy face was beau- 
tiful before, but in this journey it has lost all 
its beauty, and wounds and blocd have dis- 
figured it. Alas ! my soul also was once beau- 
tiful, when it received thy grace in baptism ; 
but I have disfigured it since by my sins ; thou 
alone, my Redeemer, canst restore it to its 
former beauty. Do this by thy passion, O 
Jesus !. I repent with my whole heart of having 
offended thee. Never permit me to separate 
myself from thee again. Grant that I may 
love thee always ; and then do with me what 
thou wilt. 

Guv Fatlier. Hail, Mary. Glory be, etc. 



532 



THE WAY OF THE CROSS. 



0 Jesus ! who, for love of me, 
Didst bear thy cross to Calvary ; 
In thy sweet mercy grant to me 
To suffer and to die with thee. 

SEVENTH STATION. 

Jesus falls the Second Time. 
V. We adore thee, 0 Christ ! and praise 
thee. 

R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast 
redeemed the world. 

CONSIDER the second fall of Jesus under 
the Cross ; a fall which renews the pain 
of all the wounds of his head and members. 
Pause awhile. 

My most sweet Jesus ! how many times thou 
hast pardoned me, and how many times have 
I fallen again, and begun again to offend thee ! 
Oh ! by the merits of this second fall, give me 
the necessary helps to persevere in thy grace 
until death. Grant that in all temptations 
which assail me, I may always commend my- 
self to thee. I love thee, Jesus, my love ! 
above all things ; I repent with my whole 
heart of having offended thee. Never permit 
me to separate myself from thee again. Grant 
that I may love thee always ; and then do with 
me what thou wilt. 



THE WAY OF THE CROSS. 533 

Our Father. Hail, Mary. Glory he, etc. 
0 Jesus ! who, for love of me, 
Didst bear thy cross to Calvary ; 
In thy sweet mercy grant to me 
To suffer and to die with thee. 

EIGHTH STATION. 

Jesus speaks to the Daughters of Jerusalem, 

V. We adore thee, 0 Christ ! and praise 
thee. 

E. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast 
redeemed the world. 

/CONSIDER how these women wept with 
^ compassion at seeing Jesus in such a piti- 
able state, streaming with blood, as he walked 
along. " My daughters/' said he, " weep not 
forme, but for your children." Pause awhile. 

My Jesus ! laden with sorrows, I weep for 
the offenses I have committed against thee, 
because of the pains they have deserved, and 
still more because of the displeasure they have 
caused thee, who hast loved me so much. It 
is thy love, more than the fear of hell, which 
causes me to weep for my sins. My Jesus, I 
love thee more than myself ; I repent with my 
whole heart of having offended thee. Never 
permit me to separate myself from thee again. 



534 THE WAY OF THE CROSS. 

Grant that I may love thee always ; and then 
do with me what thou wilt. 

Our Father. Hail, Mary. Glory be, etc. 

0 Jesus ! who, for love of me, 
Didst bear thy cross to Calvary ; 
In thy sweet mercy grant to me 
To suffer and to die with thee. 

NINTH STATION. 

Jesus falls the Third Time. 
V. We adore thee, 0 Christ ! and praise 
thee. 

R. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast re- 
deemed the world. 

pONSIDER the third fall of Jesus Christ. 
^ His weakness was extreme, and the cruel- 
ty of his executioners excessive, who tried to 
hasten his steps when he could scarcely move. 
Pause awhile. 

Ah ! my outraged Jesus, by the merits of 
the weakness thou didst suffer in going to 
Calyary, give me strength sufficient to con- 
quer all human respect, and all my wicked 
passions, which have led me to despise thy 
friendship. I love thee, Jesus, my love ! 
above all things ; I repent with my whole 
heart of having offended thee. Never permit 



THE WAY OF THE CHOSS. 535 

me to separate myself from thee again. Grant 
that I may love thee always : and then do 
with me what thou wilt. 

Our Father. Hail, Mary. Glory be, etc. 

0 Jesus ! who, for love of me, 
Didst bear thy cross to Calvary ; 
In thy sweet mercy grant to me 
To suffer and to die with thee. 

TENTH STATION. 

Jesus stripped of his Garments. 
V. We adore thee, 0 Christ ! and praise 
thee. 

B. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast re- 
deemed the world. 

/CONSIDER the violence with which the ex- 
^ ecutioners stripped Jesus. His inner gar- 
ments adhered to his torn flesh, and they 
dragged them off so roughly that the skin 
came with them. Compassionate your Saviour 
thus cruelly treated. Pause awhile. 

My innocent Jesus ! by the merits of the 
torment thou hast felt, help me to strip my- 
self of all affection to things of earth, in order 
that I may place all my love in thee, who art 
so worthy of my love. I love thee, 0 Jesus ! 
above all things ; I repent with my whole 



536 THE WAY OF THE CKOSS. 

heart of having offended thee. Never permit 
me to separate myself from thee again. Grant 
that I may love thee always ; and then do 
with me what thou wilt. 

Our Father, Hail, Mary. Glory be> etc. 

0 Jesus ! who, for ]ove of me, 
Didst bear thy cross to Calvary ; 
In thy sweet mercy grant to me 
To suffer and to die with thee. 

ELEVENTH STATION. 

Jesus is nailed to the Cross. 
V. We adore thee, 0 Christ ! and praise 
thee. 

B. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast re- 1 
deemed the world. 

CONSIDER how Jesus, after being thrown on 
the Cross, extended his hands, and offered 
to his eternal Father the sacrifice of his life 
for our salvation. These barbarians fastened 
him with nails, and then securing the Cross, 
allowed him to die with anguish on this in- 
famous gibbet. Pause awhile. 

My Jesus ! loaded with contempt, nail my 
heart to thy feet, that it may ever remain 
there to love thee, and never quit thee again. 
I love thee more than myself ; I repent with 



THE WAY OF THE CROSS. 537 



my whole heart of having offended thee. 
Never permit me to separate myself from thee 
again. Grant that I may love thee always ; 
and then do with me what thou wilt. 

Our Father. Hail, Mary. Glory be, etc. 

O Jesus ! who, for love of me, 
Didst bear thy cross to Calvary ; 
In thy sweet mercy grant to me 
To suffer and to die with thee. 

TWELFTH STATION. 

Jesus dies on the Cross. 
V. We adore thee, 0 Christ ! and praise 
thee. 

B. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast re- 
deemed the world. 

(CONSIDER how Jesus, after three hours' 
J agony on the Cross, consumed with an- 
guish, abandoned himself to the weight of his 
body, bowed his head, and died. Pause 
awhile. 

O my dying Jesus ! I kiss devoutly the 
Cross on which thou didst die for love of me. 
I have merited by my sins to die a miserable 
death, but thy death is my hope. Ah ! by 
the merits of thy death, give me grace to die 
embracing thy feet, and burning with love to 



538 THE WAY OF THE CROSS. 

thee. I commit my soul into thy hands. I 
love thee, O Jesus ! above all things ; I repent 
of ever having offended thee. Permit not that 
I ever offend thee again. Grant that I may 
love thee always, and then do with me what 
thou wilt. 

Our Father, Hail, Mary. Glory be, etc. 

O Jesus ! who, for love of me, 
Didst bear thy cross to Calvary ; 
In thy sweet mercy grant to me 
To suffer and to die with thee. 

THIRTEENTH STATION. 

Jesus is taken down from the Cross. 
V. We adore thee, O Christ ! and praise 
thee. 

E. Because by thy holy Cross thou hast 
redeemed the world. 

C\ ONSIDER how our Lord, having expired, 
^ two of his disciples, Joseph and Nicode- 
mus, took him down from the Cross, and 
placed him in the arms of his afflicted Mother, 
who received him with unutterable tender- 
ness, and pressed him to her bosom. Pause 
awhile. 

O Mother of sorrows ! for the love of this 
Son, accept me for thy servant, and pray for 



THE WAY OF THE CROSS. 539 

me. And thou, my Redeemer, since thou 
hast died for me, permit me to love thee ; 
for I wish but thee ; and nothing more. I 
love thee, my Jesus ! above all things : I re- 
pent of ever having offended thee. Never 
permit me to offend thee again. Grant that 
I may love thee always ; and then do with me 
what thou wilt. 

Our Father. Hail, Mary. Glory be, etc. 

O Jesus ! who, for love of me, 
Didst bear thy cross to Calvary ; 
In thy sweet mercy grant to me 
To suffer and to die with thee. 

FOURTEENTH STATION. 

Jesus is placed in the Sepulcher. 
V. We adore thee, 0 Christ ! and praise 
thee. 

R. Because by thy holy Cross thou »hast 
redeemed the world. 

CONSIDER how the disciples carried the 
body of Jesus to bury it, accompanied 
by his holy Mother, who arranged it in the 
sepulcher, with her own hands. They then 
closed the tomb, and all withdrew. Pause 
awhile. 

Ah ! my buried Jesus, I kiss the stone that 



540 THE WAY OF THE CROSS. 

incloses thee. But thou didst rise again the 
third day. I beseech thee, by thy resurrec- 
tion, to make me rise glorious with thee at 
the last day, to be always united with thee in 
Heaven, to praise thee and love thee for- 
ever. 0 Jesus ! I love thee, and I repent of 
ever having offended thee. Permit not that 
I ever offend thee again. Grant that I may 
love thee ; and then do with me what thou 
wilt. 

Our Father. Hail, Mary. Glory be, etc. 

0 J esus ! who, for love of me, 
Didst bear thy cross to Calvary ; 
In thy sweet mercy grant to me 
To suffer and to die with thee. 

Finally say, Our Father ; Hail, Mary ; Glory 
oe, etc., five times, to gain other Indulgences. 

0 God ! who for the world's redemp- 
tion wast pleased to be born, circum- 
cised, rejected by the Jews, betrayed by 
the kiss of the traitor Judas, bound 
with chains, led like an innocent lamb 
to sacrifice, and shamefully presented 
before Annas, Caiaphas, Pilate, and 
Herod, accused by false witnesses, beat- 



THE WAY OF THE CROSS. 



541 



en with whips and buffets, insulted, spit 
upon, crowned with thorns, smitten 
with a reed, blindfolded, striped of 
/ thy garments, fastened with nails to 
the cross and lifted up on high, reputed 
among thieves, made to drink of gall 
and vinegar, and wounded by a lance ; 
oh ! by these most sacred sufferings, 
which, unworthy as I am, I thus com- 
memorate, and by thy holy cross and 
death, deliver me, Lord, from the 
pains of hell, and deign to lead me 
where thou didst lead that thief who 
was crucified by thy side : thou who, 
with the Father and the Holy Ghost, 
livest and reignest world without end. 
Amen. 



From St. Bernard, torn. ii. 

I ESUS, the only thought of thee 
*J With sweetness fills my breast ; 
But sweeter far it is to see, 
And on thy beauty feast. 

No sound, no harmony so gay, 

Can art or music frame ; 
No thoughts can reach, no words can say 

The sweets of thy blest name. 

Jesus, our hope, when we repent, 
Sweet source of all our grace ; 

Sole comfort in our banishment ; 
Oh, what, when face to face ? 

Jesus ! that name inspires my mind 
With springs of life and light, 

More than I ask in thee I find, 
And lavish in delight. 

No art or eloquence of man 

Can tell the joys of love ; 
Only the saints can understand 

What they in Jesus prove. 

542 



A HYMN TO OUR SAVIOUR. 



543 



Thee then I'll seek retired apart, 
From world and business free ; 

When these shall knock I'll shut my heart, 
And keep it all for thee. 

Before the morning light I'll come, 

With Magdalen, to find, 
In sighs and tears, my Jesu's tomb, 

And there refresh my mind. 

My tears upon his grave shall flow, 

My sighs the garden fill, 
Then at his feet myself I'll throw, 

And there I'll seek his will. 

Jesus, in thy bless'd steps I'll tread, 

And walk in all thy ways ; 
I'll never cease to weep and plead,' 

Till I'm restored to grace. 

0 King of Love, thy blessed fire 
Doth such sweet flames excite, 

That first it raises the desire, 
Then fills it with delight. 

Thy lovely presence shines so clear 

Through every sense and way, 
That souls which once have seen thee near, 

See all things else decay. 



544 



A HYMX TO OUH SAVIOUB. 



Come then, dear Lord, possess my heart, 
Chase thence the shades of night ; 

Come pierce it with thy flaming dart, 
And ever-shining light. 

Then I'll forever Jesus sing 

And with the saints rejoice ; 
And both my heart and tongue shall bring 
Their tribute to my dearest King, 

In never-ending joys. Amen. 



gm$w mx the iHvt Wmnil#. 

OGOD, who for the redemption of 
the world, didst deign to be born, 
to be circumcised, to be rejected by the 
Jews and betrayed by Judas with a kiss, 
to be bound with fetters and led like an 
innocent lamb to the slaughter, to be 
ignominiously brought before Annas, 
Caiaphas, Pilate, and Herod, to be ac- 
cused by false witnesses, to be scourged, 
buffeted, and reviled, to be spit upon, 
to be crowned with thorns and struck 
with a reed, to be blindfolded, to be 
stripped of thy garments, to be nailed 
to a cross and raised thereon, to be 
numbered among thieves, to be made to 
drink of gall and vinegar, and to be 
pierced with a lance : do thou, 0 Lord, 
by these thy most holy sufferings, which 
I, thy unworthy servant, commemorate, 
and by thy most holy cross and death, 
deliver me from the pains of hell, and 
vouchsafe to conduct me whither thou 
35 545 



546 PRAYERS ON THE FIYE WOUNDS. 



didst conduct the penitent thief who 
was crucified with thee. Who with the 
Father and the Holy Ghost livest and 
reignest forever and ever. Amen. 

OLOED Jesus Christ, I adore the sa- 
cred wound of thy left foot. I thank 
thee for the pain which thou didst en- 
dure with so much love and charity. I 
condole with thee in thy sufferings and 
with thy .afflicted Mother. I humbly 
beg pardon for my sins, which I deplore 
beyond all imaginable evils, because 
they offend thee, 0 infinite goodness; 
and I resolve never more to sin. Vouch- 
safe to convert all sinners, and to make 
them understand the heinousness and 
the enormity of mortal sin. 

Our Father, etc. Hail, Mary, etc. 
Glory be, etc. 

Sane t a Mater, istud Holy Mother, this im- 

agas, part, 
Crucifixi fige plagas Firmly fix thou in my 
heart 

Cordi meo valide. Of the Crucified the 
wounds. 



PRAYERS ON THE FITE WOUNDS. 547 

OLOED JESUS CHBXST, I adore the 
sacred wound of thy right foot, I 
thank thee for the pain which thou didst 
endure with so much love and charity. 
I condole with thee in thy sufferings and 
with thy afflicted Mother. Grant me 
strength against all temptations, and 
prompt obedience in the execution of 
thy holy will. Comfort, 0 Jesus, all 
the poor, the miserable, and the afflict- 
ed, all who are tempted or persecuted. 
Most just Judge, govern those w T ho ad- 
minister justice, and assist all those 
who labor in the care of souls. Our 
Father, etc. 

Sancta Mater, etc. 

OLOED JESUS CHEIST, I adore the 
sacred wound of thy left hand. I 
thank thee for the pain which thou 
didst endure with so much love and 
charity. I condole with thee in thy suf- 
ferings and with thy afflicted Mother. 
Deliver me from the pains of hell ; 
grant me patience in the adversities of 



543 PR A YEP. S ON THE FIVE WOUNDS. 

this life, and conformity in all things 
to thy blessed will. I offer unto tbee 
all my sufferings both of mind and 
body, in satisfaction for my sins, which 
have so often deserved eternal torments. 
Pardon all my enemies, and all those 
who bear ill will against me. Grant 
patience to the sick, and restore them 
to health : and support with thy assist- 
ing grace all who are in their agony, 
that they may not perish. Our Father, 
etc. 

Sancta Mater, etc. 

OLOED JESUS CHEIST, I adore the 
sacred wound of thy right hand. I 
thank thee for the pain which thou didst 
endure with so much love and charity. 
I condole with thee in thy sufferings 
and with thy afflicted Mother. Grant 
me a resolute will to seek after all 
things which concern my salvation. 
Grant me the grace of final perse- 
verance, that I may secure the enjoy- 
ment of that glory which was pur- 



PRAYERS ON THE FIVE WOUNDS. 549 



chased at the price of thy most precious 
blood. Grant likewise, 0 Jesus, peace 
and relief to the souls in purgatory, 
and daily advance toward perfection 
thy holy servants in this world, more 
especially those who are of this confra- 
ternity. Our Father, etc. 
Sancta Mater, etc. 

OLOED JESUS CHEIST, I adore the 
sacred wound in thy blessed side. I 
thank thee for the infinite love mani- 
fested toward us at the opening of thy 
sacred heart. Grant me a pure and per- 
fect charity, that loving all things for 
thy sake and thee above all things, I 
may breathe my last in the purest senti- 
ments of divine love. Protect thy holy 
Catholic Church, direct thy governing 
Vicar upon earth, all ecclesiastical or- 
ders, and all pious persons who are in- 
strumental in the conversion of souls. 
Preserve in thy holy service all Chris- 
tian rulers . * . Bring back in- 
to the way of salvation all those who 



550 PRAYERS ON THE FIYE WOUNDS. 

have gone astray, whether through 
malice or ignorance ; and subject unto 
thy sacred yoke all infidels, heretics, 
and enemies of thy holy name. Our 
Father, etc. 

Sancta Mater, etc. 

0LOED JESUS CHRIST, God of my 
heart, by those five wounds which 
thy love for us inflicted on thee, succor 
thy servants whom thou hast redeemed 
with thy precious blood. Amen. 

Most merciful Redeemer, by those 
unspeakable torments, and by the grief 
which thou wast pleased to suffer for 
me, especially when thy soul was sepa- 
rated from thy body, I humbly beseech 
thee to secure my soul at the hour 
of its departure, and to comfort me 
then, as thou didst comfort the peni- 
tent thief, with the blessed assurance 
that I shall be with thee in Paradise. 
Amen. 

The Stabat Mater, see p. 563. 



PRAYEKS ON THE FIVE WOUNDS. 551 

Let us say thrice the " Our Father" and 
thrice the "Hail Mary," in memory of the 
three hours our Eedeemer hung upon the 
cross, for the souls of the faithful departed of 
this congregation. 

Let us say once the "Our Father" and 
the "Hail, Mary," for those who are in the 
deplorable state of mortal sin. 

Let us likewise say once the "■ Our Father" 
and the " Hail, Mary," for the person of this 
congregation who is next to die, that he may 
depart happily, strengthened with the holy 
sacraments of the Church. 

Let us dispose ourselves, by acts of perfect 
contrition and of pure love of God, to receive 
profitably the benediction of our Lord and 
Saviour in the adorable Sacrament of the 
Altar. 

A MEKCIPUL Eedeemer, and God of 
yJ infinite patience, great is my confu- 
sion at appearing in thy divine presence, 
because I have so frequently preferred 
contemptible creatures before thee, the 
Almighty Creator of the universe. I 
utterly detest my presumption in sin- 
ning in thy most pure sight, I ac- 
knowledge that I am a criminal, and I 
plead guilty at the bar of thy dread tri- 
bunal. Thou mightest have been glori- 



552 PRAYERS ON THE FIVE WOUNDS. 



fled in thy justice by striking me sud- 
denly dead, and by condemning me to 
eternal flames for the base indignities I 
have offered thee ; but thou wast pleased 
to be glorified in the high prerogative 
of thy mercy, by recalling me to re- 
pentance. I abhor all my crimes of 
thought, of word, and of deed, not 
merely for the fear of punishment, and 
for the hope of reward, but chiefly for 
thy sake, and because thou dost in- 
finitely detest them. 0 God of majesty 
and mercy, look upon the sacred marks 
in thy hands, feet, and side, which 
thou dost still retain in thy glorified 
body, that they may plead in my be- 
half. By that tender love which in- 
duced thee to create, to redeem, and to 
sanctify me, unite thy infinite merits 
to my profound misery. Strengthen 
my weakness, confirm this my resolu- 
tion of never more offending thee ; 
rather let me lose everything, even 
life itself, than lose thy favor by mortal 



PKAYERS ON THE FIYE WOTTNDS. 553 

sin. My heart was created for thee, 
and I love thee better than myself. 
Every clay of my life, and especially 
that on which I shall expire, I will 
strive to love and to serve thee for thy 
own sake, my God and my Creator. 0 
Saviour of perishing mankind, who 
openest thy hand, and fillest every crea- 
ture with benediction, give me now 
such a blessing as thou didst bestow 
on thy beloved disciples, when ascend- 
ing in triumph from the mountain of 
Olives, that I may live and die in these 
happy dispositions; Amen. 

0 Jesus ! let me frequently and at- 
tentively consider that whatsoever I 
gain, if I lose thee, all is lost; and 
whatsoever I lose, if I gain thee, all is 
gained. 

Have mercy on all sinners, etc. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ "humbled 
himself, becoming obedient unto death, 
even the death of the cross. " {Philip. 
ii. 8.) 



554 PRAYER BEFORE A CRUCIFIX. 

Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. 
I believe in G-od, etc. 



PRAYER BEFORE A CRUCIFIX. 



T7N ego, 0 bone et 
dulcissime Jesu, 
ante conspectum tuum 
genibus me provolvo ac 
maximo animi ardore 
te oro atque obtestor 
ut meum in cor vivi- 
dos fidei, spei, et cha- 
ritatis sensus, atque 
v e i a m peccatorum 
meorum poenitentiam, 
eaque emendandi fir- 
missimam voluntatem 
velis imprimere : dum 
magno animi affectu, 
et dolore tua quinque 
Yulnera mecum ipse 
considero, ac inente 
contemplor, illud prse 
oculis habens, quod 
jam in ore ponebat 
suo David proplieta de 
te, O bone Jesu, "Fo- 



T 0 0 K down upon 
me, good and gen- 
tle J esus, while before 
thy face I humbly 
kneel, and with burn- 
ing soul pray and be- 
seech thee to fix deep 
in my heart lively 
sentiments of faith, 
hope and charity, true 
contrition for my sins, 
and firm purpose of 
amendment ; the while 
I contemplate with 
great love and tender 
pity thy five Wounds, 
pondering over them 
within me, whilst I 
call to mind the words 
which David thy pro- 
phet said of thee, my 
Jesus: " They pierced 
my hands and my 



THE THIRTY DAYS' PRAYER. 555 



derant man us meas et feet ; they numbered 
pedes meos ; dinume- all my bones." (Ps. 
raverunt omnia ossa xxi. 17, 18.) 
mea." 

THIRTY DAYS' PRAYER TO OUR BLESSED 
REDEEMER, m H0ST0R OP HIS BIT- 
TER PASSION. 

GLORY, honor, and praise be to our 
Lord J esus Christ : may all the 
world adore thee : blessed be thy holy 
name, who for us sinners youchsafedst 
to be born of an humble Virgin ; and 
blessed be thine infinite goodness, who 
didst die upon the cross for our redemp- 
tion. 

0 Jesus, Son of God, and Saviour of 
mankind ! we beseech thee to have 
mercy on us, and so dispose our lives 
here by thy grace, that we may here- 
after rejoice with thee forever in thy 
heavenly kingdom. Amen. 

ODEAR Jesus, my blessed Saviour 
and Redeemer, the sweet comforter 
of all sad, desolate, and distressed souls ! 



556 THE THIRTY DAYS' PRAYER. 

behold me, thy poor servant, humbly 
prostrate at the foot of thy holy cross, 
bewailing my misery, imploring thy 
mercy, and beseeching thee to take pity 
and compassion upon me in this my 
present and pressing affliction (infirm- 
ity, poverty, temptation, trouble, or 
whatsoever other spiritual or corporal 
necessity). 

Hear my prayers, 0 assured refuge 
of all afflicted wretches ! behold my 
tears, consider my sorrows, and remedy 
my distresses ; for finding myself encom- 
passed with very grievous calamities, by 
reason of my great crimes, I know not 
whither to fly for succor, or to whom I 
may make my moan, but to thee, my 
meek and merciful Saviour, with a full 
hope and confidence that thou, 0 my 
loving Eedeemer, wilt vouchsafe to lend 
the ears of thy accustomed clemency to 
the humble petition of thy poor child. 
This blessing I earnestly beg of thee by 
that sweetness which thy blessed soul 



THE THIRTY DAYS* PRAYER, 



557 



experienced at the time of thy alliance 
with our human nature, when thou re- 
mainedst true God and true man, for 
the space of nine months, within thy 
Mother's bosom : 

By the anguish thou enduredst, 
when, the time of thy passion drawing 
nigh, thou prayedst to thy eternal Fa- 
ther, that, if it accorded with his most 
divine providence, thou desiredst that 
the bitter chalice might pass away from 
thee ; yet concluding with a perfect act 
of resignation : Father, not my will, 
tut thine he done : 

By the outrageous injuries, shame- 
ful insults, cruel blows, contumelious 
blasphemies, false accusations, and un- 
just judgments, which thou, innocent 
Lamb, patiently enduredst ; by the 
shackles which fettered thy limbs, the 
tears which flowed from thine eyes, the 
blood which trickled from thy whole 
body ; by the fears, sorrows, and sad- 
ness of thy heart ; by the shame thou 



558 THE THIRTY DAYS' PRAYER. 

didst experience in being stripped of 
thy garments, to hang naked on the 
cross, in the sight of thy sorrowful 
Mother, and in the presence of all the 
people : 

By thy royal head, crowned with 
thorns, and smitten with a reed; by 
thy thirst, quenched with vinegar and 
gall ; by thy side, opened with a spear, 
whence issued blood and water, to re- 
fresh our souls with that living foun- 
tain of thy love and mercy ; by the 
sharp nails wherewith thy tender hands 
and feet were cruelly pierced and fas- 
tened to the cross ; by the recommen- 
dation of thy departing soul to thy hea- 
venly Father, saying : Into thy hands 1 
commend my spirit ; by thy praying 
for thy enemies : Father, forgive them, 
for they know not what they do ; by thy 
giving up the ghost, w T hen thou criedst 
out with a loud voice : My God, my 
God, why hast thou forsaken me ? and 
then, bowing down thy most blessed 



THE THIRTY DAYS' PRAYER. 559 

head to impart the kiss of peace, saidst : 
It is consummated : 

By the great mercy thou showedst 
toward the penitent thief , saying : This 
day thou shalt he with me in para- 
dise ; by thy descent into Limbo, and 
the joy thou communicatedst to the 
just souls therein detained ; by the 
glory of thy triumphant resurrection, 
and the consoling apparition thou fre- 
quently didst make, for forty clays' 
space, to thy sacred Virgin Mother, to 
thy Apostles, and thy other chosen 
friends and servants ; by thy admirable 
Ascension, when, in the sight of thy 
Mother and thy Apostles, thou wast 
elevated into heaven ; by the miracu- 
lous coming down of the Holy Ghost 
in the form of fiery tongues, whereby 
thou replenishedst the hearts of thy 
disciples with thy love, gayest them 
strength and courage to plant thy faith 
in the whole world ; by the dreadful 
day of general judgment, on which 



560 THE THIRTY DAYS' PRAYER. 

thou art to pass sentence on all man- 
kind : 

By all those sorrows, joys, passions, 
compassions, and whatsoever else is 
near and dear to thee in heaven and on 
earth, take pity on me, 0 compassion- 
ate Eedeemer ! hear my prayers ; and 
grant me that for which I now most 
humbly and heartily petition thee. 
[Mention here the thing you desire ; 
or reflect mentally upon it.] 

Give me, 0 gracious Saviour, speedy 
and efficacious feelings of thy divine 
succor and comfort, who, according to 
the accustomed sweetness of thy tender 
heart, art wont to grant the requests of 
those who really fear and love thee, 
even to their soul's desire and satisfac- 
tion ; bestow on me, also, 0 my blessed 
Lord Jesus, a lively and firm faith, a 
confident hope, a perfect charity, a 
true contrition, a sincere confession, a 
competent satisfaction, a diligent cus- 
tody of myself from all future failings, 




PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF SORROWS. 561 

an heroic contempt of the world, a 
complete mastery of my passions, a 
zealous imitation of thy exemplary life 
and conversation, an entire accomplish- 
ment of my vows, an absolute mortifi- 
cation of my self-will, a willing readi- 
ness to die for thy love and honor, final 
perseverance in grace and good works, 
a happy departure of my soul out of 
this world, with my perfect senses about 
me, thy holy sacraments to strengthen 
me ; thyself, 0 dear Jesus, to comfort 
me ; thy sacred Virgin Mother, with 
the Saints, my particular patrons, to 
pray for me, and my good Angel to 
conduct me to eternal rest, eternal life, 
eternal happiness. Amen. 

A VISIT TO OUR LADY OF SORROWS. 

To le made before her Altar or Image, 
immediately after performing the 
Stations, or at any other time. 

OMOST holy Mother, Queen of sor- 
rows, who didst follow thy beloved 

36 



i 

i 

r 



562 PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF SORROWS. 

Son through all the Way of the Cross, 
and whose heart was pierced with a 
fresh sword of grief at all the Stations 
of that most sorrowful journey ; obtain 
for us, we beseech thee, 0 most loving 
Mother, a perpetual remembrance of 
our Blessed Saviour's cross and death, 
and a true and tender devotion to all 
the mysteries of his most holy passion ; 
obtain for us the grace to hate sin, even 
as he hated it in the agony in the Gar- 
den ; to endure wrong and insult with 
all patience, as he endured them in the 
judgment-hall ; to be meek and hum- 
ble in all our trials, as he was before 
his judges ; to love our enemies even 
as he loved his murderers, and prayed 
for them upon the cross ; and to glori- 
fy God and do good to our neighbors, 
even as he did in every mystery of his 
sufferings. 0 Queen of Martyrs, who, 
by the dolours of thy immaculate heart 
on Calvary, didst merit to share the 
passion of our most dear Eedeemer, 
obtain for us some portion of thy com- 



THE HYMN STAB AT MATER. 563 



passion, that, for the love of Jesus cru- 
cified, we may be crucified to the world 
in this life ; and in the life to come 
may, by his infinite merits and thy 
powerful intercession, reign with him 
in glory everlasting. Amen. 



THE HYMN STABAT MATER. 



gTABAT Mater dolorosa 
Juxta crucem lacry- 
mosa, 
Dum pendebat Filius. 
Cujus anirnam gementem, 
Contristatam et dolenteni 
Pertransivit gladius. 



O quam tristis et afflicta 
Fuit ilia benedicta 

Mater Unigeniti ! 
Quae mcerebat, et dolebat, 
Pia Mater, dum videbat 

Nati pceuas inclyti ! 



gOUL - AGONIZED the 
Mother stood, 

And tearful, 'neath the bit- 
ter wood 
On which her Son hung 
dying. 

Rolled all grief's waters 
o'er their hearts, 

While his death-pangs like 
fiery darts 
Wore through her bosom 
flying. 

What woes overwhelm, that 

Mother bless'd, 
Who once fed at her virgin 

breast 

God's Son, her own first- 
born ! 

Now vain her tears and 
vain her wailing, 

Her soul's dread throes all 
unavailing, 
He dies dishonor'd and 
forlorn ! 



564 THE HYMN STAB AT MATER. 



Quis est homo qui non fle- 
ret, 

Matrem Christi si videret 

In tanto supplicio ? 
Quis non posset eontris- 
tari, 

Christi Matrem contem- 
plari 

Dolentem cum Filio ? 



Pro peccatis suse gentis 
Yidit Jesum in tormentis, 

Et flageliis subditum 
Vidit smira dulcem natum 
Moriendo desolatnm, 

Dam emisit spiritum. 



Eia, Mater, fons amoris, 
Me sentire vim doloris 

Fac nt tecum Jugeam. 
Fac ut ardeat cor meum 
In amando Christum De- 
um, 

Ut sibi complaceam. 



Who would not weep with 

thee, O Mother ? 
Christ is our God, Christ is 

our brother — 
It is our trespass he 

atones. 
Who would not share with 

thee the smart 
Of all the grief which 

wrings thy heart, 
The while thy moans give 

back his moans ? 

Our hands have crown'd 
our King with scorn ; 

Our hands his sinless flesh 
have torn ; 
For his brethren's sins he 
dies ! 

She sees it,— sees his deso- 
lation, 

As, cursed and spurned by 
his nation, 
Her Messiah's spirit flies. 

O sweetest Mother, hear 

my prayer ; 
Take thou my soul and fix 

deep there 
An unfailing spring of 

sorrow. 
Teach me thy Son at length 

to know, 
That with his love my soul 

may glow ; 
In his footsteps let me 

follow. 



THE HYMN STABAT MATER. 



565 



Sancta Mater istud agas, 
Crucifixi fige piagas 

Cordi ineo valide. 
Tui nati vulnerati, 
Tarn dignati pro me pati 

Poenas mecum divide. 



Fac me tecum pie flere, 
Crucifixo condolere, 

Donee ego vixero. 
Juxta crucem tecum stare, 
Et me tibi sociare 

In planctu desidero. 



Virgo virginum prneclara, 
Mini jam non sis amara, 

Fac me tecum plangere 
Fac ut portem Christi mor- 
tem, 

Passionis fac consortem, 
Et piagas recolere. 



O Mother bless'd, one boon 

I crave- 
In my heart's core do thou 
engrave 
The image of thy Cruci- 
fied. 

There let me each sad fea- 
ture trace 

Of love's own agonized 
face ; 

With me his agony di- 
vide. 

Each wound shall Love's 

deep lessons teach me ; 
From out Love's side a 

flame shall reach me, 
And kindle heavenly fire. 
To weep with thee I thus 

may learn ; 
To bear the cross I then 

may yearn, 
And 'neath my load ne'er 

tire. 

O Virgin, 'bove all virgins 

bless'd, 
If I find pity in thy pure 

breast, 
Let me still grieve by thy 

side. 

Help me with Christ the 

cross to bear ; 
Teach me his bitter cup to 

share, 

And in his wounds to 
hide. 



THE HYMX STAB AT MATER. 



566 

Fac me plagis vulnerari, 
Fac me cruce inebriari, 

Et cruore Filii. 
Flammis ne urar succensus, 
Per te, Virgo, sim defensus 

In die judicii. 



Christe cum sit hinc exire 
Da per Matrem me venire 

Ad pal mam victorias. 
Quando corpus morietur, 
Fac ut anirnre donetur 

Paradisi gloria. 

Amen. 



Pierce head and hands, 
and feet and side ; 

Make me drunk with yon- 
der crimson tide 
From our riven Rock e'er 
welling. 

So may I, on the last dread 
day, 

In thee, O Mother, find my 
stay ; 

Within that Rock my 
dwelling. 

O Jesus ! at death's fearful 
hour 

Mine be ! t to prove thy 
Mother's power 
And meet thy mercy's 
doom. 

When this poor clay's 

around me falling 
May my freed soul hear thy 
voice calling 
To thine eternal home. 

Amen. 



II. 



r FHE sacred humanity of our Lord being 
4 physically and inseparably united to the 
divine nature in the person of the Son, be- 
comes thereby an object of divine worship. 
For Christ in his two-fold nature of God and 
Man is most truly God and deserving of the 
supreme love and adoration due to the God- 
head alone. 

The Mother of the Man-God, however, 
though exalted above all other created beings 
by thus becoming the mother of the incarnate 
Deity, is still but a mere creature, in spite 
of her singular prerogatives. She is the 
Second Eve as Christ is the Second Adam ; 
she is the Mother of the true life ; she is the 
Mother of regenerated and sanctified human- 
ity. Her office, in the economy of God's 
supernatural providence, is to discharge in 
God's kingdom, in his household, the most 
perfect functions of motherly love and ten- 
derness toward all his children. 

567 



568 ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 



ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 

The Joyful Mysteries, assigned for Mondays 
and Thursdays throughout the year, the 
Sundays of Advent, and after Epiphany, till 
Lent : 

TX the name of the Father, and of the Son, 
and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
V. Hail, Mary, full of grace, our Lord is 
with thee. 

it. Blessed art thou amongst women, and 
blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. 

V. Thou, 0 Lord, wilt open my lips. 

it. And my tongue shall announce thy 
praise. 

V. Incline unto my aid, 0 (rod. 
i?. 0 Lord, make haste to help me. 
Glory be to trie Father, etc. 
As it was in the beginning, etc. 
Alleluia, or, Praise be to thee, 0 Lord, 
King of eternal glory. 

THE FIRST MYSTERY — THE AXXLNCIATION. 

The Meditation. — Let us contemplate in 
this mystery how the angel Gabriel saluted our 
blessed Lady with the title Full of Grace, and 
declared unto her the incarnation of our Lord 
and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

Then say, Our Father, etc., once ; Hail } 
Mary, ten times. 



ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 560 



HOLY Mary, Queen of Virgins, by 



\J the most high mystery of the in- 
carnation of thy beloved Son, our Lord 
Jesus Christ, by which our salvation 
was so happily begun, obtain for us, 
by thy intercession, light to know this 
so great benefit which he has bestowed 
upon us, vouchsafing in it to make 
himself our brother, and thee, his own 
most beloved Mother, our mother also. 
Amen. 

THE SECOND MYSTERY — THE VISITATION. 

The Meditation. — Let us contemplate in 
this mystery how the Blessed Virgin Mary, 
understanding from the angel that her cousin, 
St. Elizabeth, had conceived, went with haste 
into the mountains of Judea to visit her, and 
remained with her three months. 



0HOLY Virgin, most spotless mirror 
of humility, by that exceeding 
charity which moved thee to visit thy 



THE PRAYER. 




THE PRAYER. 



570 ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 



holy cousin, St. Elizabeth, obtain for 
us, by thy intercession, that our hearts 
may be so yisited by thy most holy Son, 
that being free from all sin, we may 
praise him and giye him thanks for- 
ever. Amen. 

THE THIRD MYSTERY — THE NATIVITY. 

The Meditation. — Let us contemplate in 
this mystery how the Blessed Virgin Mary, 
when the time of her delivery was come, 
brought forth our Redeemer, Christ Jesus, at 
midnight, and laid him in a manger, because 
there was no room for him in the inns at 
Bethlehem. 

THE PRAYER. 

0MOST pure Mother of God, by thy 
virginal and most joyful delivery, 
by which thou gavest unto the world 
thy Son, our Saviour, we beseech thee, 
obtain for us by thy intercession, grace 
to lead so pure and holy a life in this 
world, that we may worthily sing with- 
out ceasing, both by day and night, the 



ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN". 571 

mercies of thy Son, and his benefits to 
us by thee. Amen. 

THE FOURTH MYSTERY — THE PRESENTATION. 

The Meditation. — Let us contemplate in 
this mystery how the most blessed Virgin 
Mary, on the day of her purification, presented 
the child Jesus in the temple, where holy 
Simeon, giving thanks to Grod with great de- 
votion, received him into his arms. 

THE PRAYER. 

OHOLY Virgin, admirable Mistress, 
and pattern of obedience, who didst 
present in the temple the Lord of the 
temple, obtain for us, of thy beloved 
Son, that with holy Simeon and devout 
Anne, we may praise and glorify him 
forever. Amen. 

THE FIFTH MYSTERY — THE FINDING IN THE 
TEMPLE. 

The Meditation. — Let us contemplate in 
this mystery how the Blessed Virgin Mary, 
having lost her beloved Son in Jerusalem, 
sought him for the space of three days, and at 



572 ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 



length found him the fourth day in the tem- 
ple in the midst of the doctors, disputing with 
them, being then but twelve years old. 

THE PRAYER. 

MOST Blessed Virgin, more than 
martyr in thy sufferings, and yet 
the comfort of such as are afflicted, by 
that unspeakable joy, wherewith thy 
soul was ravished in finding thy beloved 
Son in the temple, in the midst of the 
doctors, disputing with them, obtain of 
him for us to seek him and to find him 
in the holy Catholic Church, that we 
may never be separated from him. 
Amen. 

SALVE REGLNA. 

IT AIL ! holy queen, Mother of mercy, our 
life, our sweetness, and our hope ; to thee 
do we cry, poor banished sons of Eve ; to thee 
do we send up our sighs, mourning and weep- 
ing in this valley of tears ; turn then, most 
gracious advocate, thy eyes of mercy toward 
us, and after this our exile, show to us the 



ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 573 

blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus, O most 
clement, most pious, and most sweet Virgin 
Mary. 

V. Pray for us, 0 holy Mother of God. 
R. That we may be made worthy of the 
promises of Christ. 

LET US PRAY. 

HEAR, 0 merciful God, the prayers 
of thy servants, that we who meet 
together in the society of the most holy 
Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mother of 
God, may, through her intercession, be 
delivered by thee from the dangers that 
continually hang over us. Amen. 

0 God, whose only begotten Son, by 
his life, death, and resurrection, has 
purchased for us the rewards of eternal 
life, grant, we beseech thee, that medi- 
tating upon those mysteries in the most 
holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 
we may imitate what they contain, and 
obtain what they promise : through the 
same Christ our Lord. Amen. 



574 KOSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 

The Dolorous, or Sorrowful Mysteries, for 
Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the year, 
and the Sundays in Lent : 

THE FIRST MYSTERY — THE PRAYER AND 
BLOODY SWEAT OF OUR BLESSED SAVIOUR 
IN THE GARDEN. 

The Meditation. — Let us contemplate in 
this mystery how our Lord Jesus was so af- 
flicted for us in the Garden of Gethsemani, 
that his body was bathed in a bloody sweat, 
which ran trickling down in great drops unto 
the ground. 

Our Father, etc. , once; Hail, Mary, etc., 
ten times. 

THE PRAYER. 

MOST holy Virgin, more than martyr, 
by that ardent prayer which thy 
beloved Son poured forth unto his Fa- 
ther in the garden, vouchsafe to inter- 
cede for us, that our passions being re- 
duced to the obedience of reason, we 
may always and in all things conform 
and subject ourselves to the will of God. 
Amen. 



ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 575 



THE SECOND MYSTERY — THE SCOURGING OF 
JESUS AT THE PILLAR. 

The Meditation. — Let us contemplate in 
this mystery how our Lord Jesus Christ was 
most cruelly scourged in Pilate's house : the 
number of stripes they gave him being about 
five thousand, as it was revealed to St. 
Bridget. 

THE PRAYER. 

0 MOTHER of God, overflowing foun- 
tain of patience, by those stripes thy 
only and most beloved Son vouchsafed 
to suffer for us, obtain of him for us 
grace that we may know how to mortify 
( our rebellious senses, and cut off all oc- 
i casions of sinning with that sword of 
grief and compassion which pierced thy 
most tender soul. Amen. 

THE THIRD MYSTERY — THE CROWNING OF 
JESUS WITH THORNS. 

The Meditation. — Let us contemplate in 
this mystery how those cruel ministers of 
Satan platted a crown of sharp thorns, and 



576 ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 

most cruelly pressed it on the most sacred 
head of our Lord Jesus Christ. 



\J and King of Glory, by those sharp 
thorns, wherewith his most holy head 
was pierced, we beseech thee, that, by 
thy intercession, we may be delivered 
here from all motions of pride, and in 
the day of judgment from that confu- 
sion which our sins deserve. Amen. 

THE FOURTH MYSTERY — JESUS CARRYING HIS 



The Meditation. — Let us contemplate in 
this mystery how our Lord Jesus Christ (be- 
ing sentenced to die) "bore with great patience 
the cross which was laid upon him for his 
greater torment and ignominy. 



OHOLY Virgin, example of patience, 
by the most painful carrying of the 
cross 3 on which thy Son, our Lord 



THE PRAYER. 




eternal Prince 



CROSS. 



THE PRAYER. 



ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 577 



Jesus Christ, bore the heavy weight of 
our sins, obtain for us of him, by thy 
intercession, courage and strength to 
follow his steps, and bear our cross 
after him to the end of our lives. 
Amen. 

THE FIFTH MYSTERY— THE CRUCIFIXION. 

The Meditation. — Let us contemplate in 
this mystery how our Lord Jesus Christ, be- 
ing come to Mount Calvary, was stript of his 
clothes, and his hands and his feet most 
cruelly nailed to the cross, in the presence of 
his most afflicted mother. 

THE PRAYER. 

HOLY Mary, Mother of God, as the 
body of thy beloved Son was for us 
extended on the cross, so may our de- 
sire be daily more and more stretched 
out in his service, and our hearts 
wounded with compassion of his most 
bitter passion ; and thou, 0 most 
Blessed Virgin, vouchsafe to negotiate 
for and with us the work of our salva- 

37 



5T8 ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 

tion, by thy powerful intercession. 
Amen. 

Glory be to the Father, etc. 

Hail, Holy Queen, etc., with the terse and 
prayer as before. 

The Glorious Mysteries, for Wednesdays 
and Saturdays throughout the Year, and Sun- 
days after Easter, until Advent : 

THE FIRST MYSTERY — THE RESURRECTION. 

The Meditation.— Let us contemplate ia 
this mystery how our Lord Jesus Christ, tri- 
umphing gloriously over death, rose again the 
third day, immortal and impassible. 

Our Father, etc., once ; Hail, Mary, etc., 
ten times. 

THE PRAYER. 

0 GLOEIOUS Virgin Mary, by that 
unspeakable joy thou receiveclst in 
the resurrection of thy only beloved 
Son, we beseech thee obtain of him, 
for us, that our hearts may never go 
astray after the false joys of this world, 
but may be ever and wholly employed 
in pursuit of the only true and solid 
joys of heaven. Amen. 



ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VERGES'. 579 



THE SECOND MYSTERY— THE ASCENSION. 

The Meditation. — Let us contemplate in 
this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ, 
forty days after his resurrection, ascended 
into heaven, attended by angels, in sight of 
his most holy mother, his apostles and dis- 
ciples, to the great admiration of them all. 

THE PBAYER. 

0 MOTHER of God, comfort of the 
afflicted, as thy beloved Son, when 
he ascended into heaven, lifted up his 
hands and blessed his apostles, so vouch- 
safe, most holy mother, to lift up thy 
pure hands to him for us, that we may 
enjoy the benefit of his blessing here 
on earth, and hereafter in heaven. 
Amen. 

THE THIRD MYSTERY— THE DESCENT OF THE 
HOLY GHOST. 

The Meditation. — Let us contemplate in 
this mystery how our Lord Jesus Christ, be- 
ing seated on the right hand of God, sent (as 
he had promised) the Holy Ghost upon his 



580 ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 

apostles, who, afterwards, returning to Jeru- 
salem, continued in prayer and supplication 
with Blessed Virgin Mary, awaiting the per- 
formance of his promise. 

THE PRAYEE. 

0 SACKED Virgin, tabernacle of the 
Holy Ghost, we beseech thee obtain, 
by thy intercession, that this most sweet 
Comforter, whom thy beloved Son sent 
down upon his apostles, filling them 
thereby with spiritual joy, may teach 
us in this world the true way of salva- 
tion, and make us walk in the paths of 
virtue and good works. Amen. 

THE FOURTH MYSTERY — THE ASSUMPTION. 

The Meditation. — Let us contemplate in 
this mystery how the glorious Virgin, twelve 
years after the resurrection of her Son, passed 
out of this world unto him, and was by him 
assumed into heaven, accompanied by the 
holy angels. 

THE PRAYER. 

0MOST prudent Virgin, who, en- 
tering into the heavenly palace, 



ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 581 



didst fill the holy angels with joy, and 
man with hope, vouchsafe to intercede 
for us in the hour of our death, that 
being free from the illusions and temp- 
tations of the devil, we may joyfully 
and securely pass out of this temporal 
state to enjoy the happiness of eternal 
life. Amen. 

THE FIFTH MYSTERY — THE CROWNING OF 
THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 

The Meditation. — Let us contemplate in 
this mystery how the glorious Virgin Mary 
was, with great jubilee and exultation of the 
whole court of heaven, and particular glory of 
all the Saints, crowned by her Son with the 
brightest diadem of glory. 

THE PRAYER. 

OGLOEIOTJS Queen of all the heav- 
enly citizens, we beseech thee accept 
this Rosary, which (as a crown of roses) 
we offer at thy feet ; and grant, most 
gracious Lady, that, by thy interces- 
sion, our souls may be inflamed with so 
ardent a desire of seeing thee so glori- 



582 



THE LIVING ROSARY. 



ously crowned, that it may never die in 
us, until it shall be changed into the 
happy fruition of thy blessed sight. 
Amen. 

Hail, Holy Queen, etc., with the verse 
and prayer as before. 

THE LIVING ROSARY. 

FROM ST. VINCENT'S MANUAL. 

TN consequence of many of the faithful not 
finding it convenient to recite tlie regular 
Rosary daily, a devotion has been lately intro- 
duced, termed the " Living Rosary," which 
has received the express approbation of the 
Sovereign Pontiff. Fifteen persons, associated 
together for the purpose of reciting daily the 
entire Rosary, in the manner which we shall 
presently explain, constitute what has been 
designated as the " Living Rosary." These 
fifteen persons select one as their president, 
whose duty it is to superintend the concerns 
of the Association. Once in the month he 
draws for himself and each of his fellow-mem- 
bers, one of the fifteen mysteries of the Ro- 
sary. During the remainder of the month, 
and until the next drawing of mysteries, every 
member recites daily one decade of the Beads, 
meditating at the same time upon the mystery 



THE LIVING ROSARY. 



583 



allotted to him. The person to whom the 
first mystery may be allotted, is to recite, pre- 
viously to his decade, the Creed and Lord's 
Prayer, and the three first Hail Marys with 
which the Beads commence. At the conclu- 
sion of his decade, each one recites this short 
prayer : ' ' May the Divine Heart of Jesus, and 
the Immaculate Heart of Mary, be ever known, 
loved, honored, and imitated in all places 
throughout the world." On the first Sunday 
of the month, it is advisable that all the mem- 
bers of this association of fifteen should meet 
together for the purpose of reciting in common 
at least the third part of the Rosary. If there 
should be several such associations, as of 
course there may be many such in every con- 
gregation, they would do well to unite all to- 
gether in this monthly recitation of the Ro- 
sary, under the direction of their pastor, or 
other suitable person. On the first Sunday of 
October, which is appointed by the Church as 
the festival of the Rosary, and which is of 
course to be regarded as the festival of this 
association, the entire of the fifteen Mysteries 
of the Rosary should be recited in the manner 
just mentioned. The day of this monthly 
meeting would be a suitable occasion for the 
drawing of the Mysteries. It is expected that 



584 



THE LIVING ROSARY. 



every socialist will be punctual in reciting 
daily his decade in the manner already speci- 
fied, and that on all occasions he will cultivate 
and cherish a most solid and tender devotion 
to the immaculate Mother of his Eedeemer. 
Moreover, he should approach frequently, and 
with the most fervent dispositions, the Sacra- 
ments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist. It 
is likewise recommended that once in the year 
he should spend one hour in the presence of 
the Blessed Sacrament, in the name, and in 
behalf of all the members of his association. 
One half of this time to be spent in adoration 
of the most adorable Sacrament of the Altar, 
and the other in the performance of the Sta- 
tions of the Cross. The object of this hour's 
devotion is to pray in a particular manner for 
his fellow-members, as also for all other faith- 
ful servants of Mary, living or dead. In the 
daily recital of his decade also, as well as in 
his communions, he should bear in mind, 
not merely his own individual necessities, but 
also those of his fellow-members. Finally, it 
is advised that he contribute a small sum 
monthly, by way of an alms, to aid in pur- 
chasing books of devotion and instruction for 
distribution among the poor. Each associa- 
tion can arrange this matter with the president. 



DEVOTION OF THE SCAPULAR. 585 

From the remarks which we have already 
made, it can be easily perceived why this form 
of devotion is called the " Living Rosary. " 
The fifteen persons of each association repre- 
sent the fifteen decades and mysteries of the 
beads, and by their faithful recital of their 
respective portion, they daily present to the 
immaculate Mother of God, a chaplet, as it 
were, of hearts, not like the mere grains in the 
beads — but a chaplet of living hearts, whose 
glory it is to advance her honor, while they 
seek her protection and intercession, by their 
communion of prayer. The indulgences at- 
tached to this devotion are very abundant. 
They are more numerous than those hitherto 
attached even to the regular recitation of the 
Rosary. But to gain these indulgences, the 
conditions specified must be strictly adhered 
to. 

DEVOTION OF THE SCAPULAR. 

THE devotion of the Scapular is almost as 
ancient as that of the Rosary, having been 
established in 1265, by St. Simon Stock, the 
sixth general of the order of Carmelites. The 
blessed Virgin appeared to him holding in her 
hand the form of a Scapular, and directed 
him to institute a pious confraternity, the 



586 DEVOTION OF THE SCAPULAB. 

members of which would consecrate them- 
selves to her service and wear her livery. 
This association soon extended itself over the 
Church, and it has always counted among its 
members a large number of the clergy and 
laity. Almighty God has often favored those 
who wear the Scapular with marks of his 
special protection, and the Holy See has given 
its fullest approbation to it, as we may learn 
from the ample indulgences granted to the as- 
sociation, and the establishment of the feast 
of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The devotion 
of the Scapular can be established in any 
place, with the permission of the bishop, who 
has received the faculty from the Holy See. 
The priest who has been empowered by the 
bishop to confer the Scapular, first blesses it, 
then lays it upon the person who is admitted 
into the confraternity. No other condition is 
necessary in order to participate in its spiri- 
tual advantages, They who wear the Scapu- 
lar, however, should endeavor to imitate the 
virtues of the Mother of God, particularly her 
purity, humility, and charity. If practiced 
in this spirit, and with fidelity to the condi- 
tions above mentioned, the devotion cannot 
fail to be a source of many spiritual blessings 
to the pious Christian. It is related in the 



DEVOTION OF THE SCAPULAR. 587 



fourth book of Kings (ch. v.), that Naaman 
the Syrian, who was infected with leprosy, 
was told by the prophet Eliseus, 1 Go, wash 
in the Jordan seven times, and thou shalt be 
clean." But he disdaining the advice, as not 
being likely to avail him, was strenuously ex- 
horted thereto by his servants, in this man- 
ner : " If the prophet had bid thee do some 
great thing, thou oughtest to have done it ; 
how much rather, then, when he saith to thee, 
Wash and be clean." I say the same at pres- 
ent concerning the sacred habit of the Sca- 
pular ; if our blessed Lady had bid us do 
some great thing, we ought to do it ; how 
much rather, then, when she saith, " Wear 
my livery, and ye shall not suffer eternal fire." 
If she had enjoined us to make great absti- 
nence ; to undergo some rigorous mortification, 
or undertake a long and tedious pilgrimage, 
with this condition, that we should be freed 
from eternal damnation, from the torment 
of purgatory, and from the many dangerous 
events which easily do befall us in this life ; 
right reason would dictate to us that w r e 
ought to attempt anything for the obtaining 
of so great a good : how much more, then, 
when she hath annexed these and many other 
extraordinary graces, to the reception only 



588 DEVOTION OF THE SCAPULAR, 

and devout wearing of her holy habit of the 
Scapular, with a final confidence in her pow- 
erful protection. But you will perhaps, with 
Naaman, object, What can such a weak thing 
avail us, as the Scapular is ? To this I an- 
swer, with the Apostle (1 Cor. i. 2T), " The 
weak things of the world hath God chosen, 
that he might confound the strong." He hath 
made choice of the weak element of water to 
wash us from our original sin, which is so 
deeply indicated in us by the prevarication 
of cur first father Adam, and he hath made 
use of the weak habit of the Scapular, to 
produce many excellent effects. 

It is no new thing for Almighty God to 
make use of the clothes and garments of 
Saints, in order to the effecting of prodigious 
things. The mantle of the holy patriarch, 
St. Elias, divided twice the water of Jordan 
(4 Kings ii.) ; the shadow of St. Peter cured 
all diseases (Acts v. 15) ; the handkerchief and 
napkins of St. Paul drove away evil spirits, 
and healed all sorts of infirmities (Acts ix. 
12). Nevertheless, our Saviour never so fre- 
quently concurred with the relics of any 
Saints, to the effecting of such like things, as 
he has done with the sacred habit of his Vir- 
gin Mother, which he seems to have made 



DEVOTION OF THE SCAPULAR. 589 

choice of, tliat lie may thereby demonstrate to 
the world both the efficacy of her intercession 
and the height of her merits and glory. For, 
during the last six hundred years, ever since 
the time of St. Simon Stock, most miraculous 
and extraordinary things have been, and daily 
are done throughout the whole Christian 
world, by the intercession of the most blessed 
Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, and by means 
of her sacred Scapular. Hence, if this devo- 
tion is not a source of abundant spiritual 
blessings to the Christian, he must attribute 
it to his own negligence.— Vincent's Man- 
ual. 

PRAYER ON THE OCCASION OF ONE'S 
RECEPTION INTO THE CONFRATER- 
NITY OF THE SCAPULAR. 

THRICE sacred Virgin Mary, Mother 
of God, I, N. N., though most un- 
worthy to be registered among thy 
servants, yet moved by that goodness 
which the Angels admire in thee, to an 
ardent desire of honoring, loving, and 
serving thee, do here this day, with all 
possible humility, sincerity, and devo- 



590 DEVOTION OF THE SCAPULAR. 

tion, in the presence of my Angel 
guardian and the whole court of heav- 
en, make choice of thee for my sin- 
gular Lady, Advocate, and Mother ; 
firmly purposing to honor, love, and 
serve thee, with all filial duty, dili- 
gence, and fidelity ; and to procure as 
much as it shall lie in my power, that 
all others may do the same. I there- 
fore most heartily beseech thee, 0 most 
merciful and compassionate Mother, by 
the precious blood which thy dearly- 
beloved Son, my blessed Saviour, shed 
for me in his bitter passion, that thou 
wilt be graciously pleased to receive, 
and admit me into the number of thy 
devout clients, as one devoted to thy 
perpetual service. 

Be thou favorable to me, 0 blessed 
Lady, and obtain for me of thy all- 
powerful Son, that I may so behave 
myself in all my thoughts, words, and 
actions, as never more to think, speak, 
or do anything displeasing to his sacred 
majesty. 



DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MAY. 591 



Grant, furthermore, 0 my good and 
gracious Mother, that I may never for- 
get thee, nor forfeit this, my now made 
promise of honoring, loving, and serv- 
ing thee all the days of my life. That 
so I may never be forgotten, forsaken, 
nor abandoned by thee ; but be always 
protected, aided, and assisted by thee, 
especially in the hour of my death. 
Amen. 

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MAY. 

THE devotion of the faithful toward the 
-L Mother of God has inspired them to con- 
secrate the month of May in a special manner 
to her honor. This pious practice originated 
in Italy ; and the month of May was selected 
in preference to any other from a wish to 
change a season of dissipation and amusement 
into one of instruction and devotion. From 
Italy it passed into France and other countries 
of Europe, where it has been found productive 
of the most beneficial results. Some years 
since it was introduced into the United States, 
and has been practiced by numbers of the 
faithful servants of Mary, who eagerly profit 



592 DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MAY. 

by this opportunity of testifying their love 
and gratitude to the Holy Mother of God, and 
cf cultivating the virtues which assimilate 
them to this perfect model of Christians. 

Various methods have been suggested for 
the purpose of sanctifying the month of May ; 
but that most generally followed consists, t. 
In meditating daily on some prerogative or 
virtue of the Mother of God ; 2. In reading an 
edifying lesson or narrative, illustrative of 
the benefits to be derived from a pious con- 
fidence in Mary ; 3. In invoking her interces- 
sion by fervent prayer. These devotions are 
commonly performed in a church, before an 
altar or image of the Blessed Virgin, which is 
adorned with flowers in her honor ; but they 
may also be performed in private, either in 
an oratory arranged for this purpose, or with- 
out it. If possible, Mass should be heard 
each day, and the ordinary devotions to Mary 
practiced with more than ordinary fervor and 
exactness. 

As the object of this devotion is to eradicate 
vice from the heart, and plant in its stead the 
seed of heavenly virtue, each one should pre- 
pare for the exercises of this month by ap- 
proaching the sacraments of penance and the 
Holy Eucharist. If that be not possible, let 



DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MAY. 593 

him excite his heart to sincere contrition for 
having offended God, and resolve to take the 
earliest opportunity of being reconciled with 
him. Each one should propose to overcome 
some vice or failing, to which he is most par- 
ticularly subject or inclined ; or to acquire 
some virtue, or degree of virtue, of which he 
may stand in need, or to which the grace of 
God may prompt him to aspire. All the exer- 
cises of the month should be directed to this 
object. 

On the tenth and twentieth days of the 
month, it is recommended to examine in what 
manner the exercises of the preceding days 
have been performed ; that thus whatever 
neglect or tepidity may have accompanied the 
practice of this devotion may be repented of 
and avoided. The sacraments of penance and 
the Holy Eucharist may be received on these 
days, to obtain pardon for the past, and* the 
grace necessary for the due discharge of the 
remaining part of this salutary devotion. 

On the last day of the month, or on the 
Sunday immediately following, those engaged 
in this devotion should approach the sacra- 
ments of penance and the Holy Eucharist. At 
a convenient hour in the afternoon, the fol- 
lowing act of consecration should be read by 
38 



594 AN ACT OF COXSECBATIOX. 



the pastor of the church in which the devo- 
tion has been performed. After this, with the 
bishop's permission, benediction of the Most 
Holy Sacrament should conclude the solemn 
act of consecration. This ceremony might 
take place on the last day of the month, but 
the following Sunday is generally preferred, 
that all may have the opportunity of approach- 
ing the sacraments, and that the act of conse- 
cration may be performed with greater solem- 
nity. 

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE SACKED 
HEART OF MARY. 

OS AC RED and immaculate Heart of 
Mary, ever Virgin ! 0 Heart, most 
holy, most pure, most noble, most au- 
gust, and most perfect which the om- 
nipotence of God has formed in a pure 
creature ! 0 exhaustless source of good- 
ness and mildness, of mercy and of love ! 
model of all virtues ! perfect image of 
the adorable Heart of Jesus ! 0 Heart, 
which didst always burn with the most 
ardent charity, which didst love God 
more than the Seraphim — more than 



AST ACT OF CONSECRATION. 



595 



the Angels and the Saints ! 0 Heart of 
the Mother of the Redeemer^ which hast 
so lively a sense of our miseries, which 
didst suffer so much for our salvation, 
which hast loved us with such ardent 
love, and which claimest, by so many 
titles, the respect, love, and veneration 
of all creatures — vouchsafe to accept my 
unworthy homage. Prostrate before 
thee, 0 sacred Heart of Mary, I honor 
thee with the most profound respect of 
which I am capable. I thank thee for 
the sentiments of mercy and of love, 
with which thou hast been so often 
moved at the sight of my miseries. I 
return thee thanks for all the benefits 
which thy maternal bounty has procured 
for me. I unite myself with all pure 
souls, who find their delight in honor- 
ing, praising, and loving thee. 

0 most amiable Heart ! thou shalt be 
henceforward, after the Heart of Jesus, 
the object of my veneration, of my love, 
and of my devotion. By thee will I 



596 THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY. 



approach my Saviour ; and by thee 
shall I receive his graces and mercies. 
Thou wilt be my refuge in affliction, 
my consolation in suffering, and my 
assistance in all my necessities. I will 
learn from thee purity, humility, and 
obedience : and derive from thee love 
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, my 
Lord and Master. Amen. 



ARCHCOXFRATERXITY OF THE IMMACULATE 
HEART OF MARY, 

For the Coiner don of Sinners. 
A MOXGr the various modes which Catholic 



•Q- piety has adopted in modern times, for 
honoring the Mother of God, and invoking the 
blessings of her maternal care, that of the 
archconfraternitv for the Conversion of Sin- 
ners is one of the most excellent. It was 
established in 1836, by the Abbe Desgennettes, 
cure of Xotre Dame des Victoires, in Paris. 

In 1888, the late Sovereign Pontiff, Gregory 
XVI., confirmed the association and raised it 
to the rank of an Archconfraternitv, with 
power to establish branches. According to 




AN ACT OF OBLATION. 



597 



the report for 1845, there were 4,945 regularly 
established branches throughout the Catholic 
world. Many have been organized in the 
United States. The following are the condi- 
tions for becoming members of the confrater- 
nity : 

I. Each member must have his baptismal 
and family name inscribed in the Register, 
and procure a letter or ticket of admission 
from the director, or clergyman, who estab- 
lishes the Society in his church. 

II. All the members will recite, at least once 
a day, the Hail, Mary, or Angelical Salutation 
for the Conversion of Sinners ; and, for the 
same object, they are exhorted often to recite 
other prayers to the Blessed Virgin, especially 
the prayer of St. Bernard, and the invocation, 
" Mary, refuge of sinners, pray for us." They 
will also, as far as possible, be present at, and 
join in the public prayers recited in the church 
after Vespers on Sundays and Holidays, to 
wit : the Litany of our Lady of Loretto, and 
the prayer of St. Bernard, " Memorare." 

A** ACT OF OBLATION TTEICH MAY BE 
KECITED DAILY. 

T OFFEE up to God all the thoughts, 
J- words; and actions of this day, and 



598 THE BLUE SCAPULAR. 

more particularly all my prayers and 
devotions, through the Holy and Im- 
maculate Heart of the ever-blessed Vir- 
gin Mary ; and I pray for the conver- 
sion of sinners, especially those who 
have been recommended to my prayers, 
and for the sanctification of all in this 
community. 

Mary, refuge of sinners, pray for us. 

Mary, conceived without sin, pray for 
us who seek thy succor. 

Hail, Mary. 

THE SCAPULAR OF THE IMMACULATE 
CONCEPTION. 

" The most holy Virgin delights in seeing 
her children clad in her livery, in receiving 
from them this homage, as a sign of their de- 
dication to her service, and as a proof that 
they belong to her family."— St. Alphonstjs 

M. DE LlGTJOFvI. 

ORIGIN, NATURE, AND END OF THIS 
DEVOTION. 

TN the year 1616, on the 2d day of February, 
J- the Immaculate Virgin was pleased to give 
a new mark of predilection for her children, 



THE BLUE SCAPULAR. ' 599 

by revealing the Blue Scapular to her faith- 
ful servant, the venerable Ursula Benincasa, 
foundress of the religious Sisters of the The- 
atine Order in Naples. On the 7th day of 
August, 1793, Pope Pius VI. , of glorious 
memory, declared that this pious soul had 
practiced virtue in an heroic degree. Pope 
Clement X. approved this Scapular by a brief 
dated the 30th January, 1671. 

This Scapular should be of blue woolen 
stuff ; and it is customary to attach it to two 
engravings, one representing Mary conceived 
without sin, and the other the Blessed Virgin 
with the Child Jesus in her arms. 

The end of this devotion is to procure, by 
prayer, the reformation of morals, the conver- 
sion of sinners, and to honor the Immaculate 
Conception of Mary, by leading a pure and 
innocent life, in imitation of this Virgin of vir- 
gins. It is left to each one's choice, to recite 
such prayers, or to perform such good works, 
for these intentions, as his piety will suggest, 
his director indicate, or the Immaculate Vir- 
gin inspire. 

Therefore, in receiving this Scapular, we 
assume the livery of Mary conceived without 
sin, and should receive it with a firm resolu- 



600 ' THE BLUE SCAPULAR. 

tion to imitate, inasmuch as we can, her 
purity and innocence. 

The second is, that by wearing the Scapular 
of the Immaculate Conception, we publicly 
profess our belief of this glorious prerogative 
of Mary — that of her Immaculate Conception ; 
and, by doing so, we signally manifest our 
love and veneration for the Virgin Mother of 
our Saviour. 

DUTIES OF THE ASSOCIATES. 

HPO obtain the favors promised by the Blessed 
Virgin to the Associates of the Scapular 
of the Immaculate Conception, and to gain the 
indulgences granted to them by the Sovereign 
Pontiff, there are certain duties to be fulfilled ; 
but these are neither numerous nor difficult, 
and non-obligatory under pain of sin. 

Besides the ordinary conditions required by 
the Sovereign Pontiffs for gaining indulgences, 
it is necessary — 

1. To ha^e one's name inscribed upon the 
registry of the Confraternity. 

2. To receive the Scapular from a priest 
authorized to give it. 

3. To wear the Scapular with devotion. 

4. To wear the Scapular constantly. 

5. To replace by another the one worn out 



THE BLUE SCAPULAR. 



601 



or lost, which may be blessed by any priest ; 
but this blessing is not necessary. 

Should any one fail in any of the preceding 
five conditions, he would not sin ; but he 
would deprive himself of the treasure of the 
indulgences. 

Although no particular practices of piety 
are required to gain these indulgences, never- 
theless the members of the Confraternity of 
the Scapular of the Immaculate Conception 
are recommended — 

1. To be careful to preserve their souls free 
from sin. 

2. To honor in a particular manner the mys- 
tery of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. 

3. To pray for the reformation of morals, 
and the conversion of sinners. 

4. To repeat often the following invoca- 
tions : 

P RAISED and adored be, eternally, 
J- the Most Holy Sacrament ; and 
blessed, forever, the purity and Im- 
maculate Conception of the Blessed 
Virgin Mary. 

OMAKY, conceived without sin, 
pray for us who have recourse to 
thee. 



602 THE BLUE SCAPULAH. 



BLESSED be the most holy and Im- 
maculate Conception of the Bless- 
ed Virgin Mary. 

MOST Holy Virgin, I believe and 
confess thy Holy and Immaculate 
Conception, pure and without stain. 0 
most pure Virgin ! through thy virginal 
purity, thy Immaculate Conception, 
and thy glorious quality of Mother of 
Gocl, obtain for me of thy dear Son, 
humility, charity, great purity of heart, 
of body, and of mind, the gift of prayer, 
a holy life, and a happy death. Amen. 

5. It will, moreover, be very profitable to 
recite, every day, The little Croicn of Mary— 
tliat is to say, to repeat the Hail Mary twelve 
times in honor of her twelve privileges, and 
the Glory be to the Father three times. Be 
assured, says Saint Andrew Avelino, that, by 
means of this " Little Crown," you shall ob- 
tain a multitude of graces during life, and, 
at the hour of death, the powerful assistance 
of the Most Blessed Virgin. These twelve 
"Hail Marys" should be divided into three 
parts ; each part should consist of four " Hail 



PRAYER, TO OUR LADY OF LOURDES. 603 



Marys," and be terminated by one " Glory be 
to the Father." 

A PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF LOURDES. 

0 Virgin immaculate ! Mother of 
Mercy ! Health of the weak ! ' 
Eefuge of sinners ! Comforter of the 
afflicted, — thou knowest my wants, my 
sorrows and sufferings, deign to look on 
thy poor child with pitying eyes. By 
appearing in this grotto thou didst pur- 
pose it to become a privileged spot 
from which thou wouldst cause blessings 
to pour forth ; and already many poor 
sufferers and needy ones have found a 
remedy for their spiritual and bodily ills. 
I come full of confidence to implore thy 
motherly generosity. Grant my humble 
prayer, 0 Mary merciful and tender of 
heart ; and bound still more to thee by 
these new favors, I will try to imitate 
thy virtues, that I may share one day 
in thy glory. Amen. 



IV. 

Drrottons to tl)e Saints. 



THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS. 

Anth. Remember not, O Lord, our offenses, 
nor those of our parents, and take not revenge 
of our sins. 



J^YRIE eieison. 

Christe eieison. 

Kvrie eieison. 
Christe audi nos. 
Christe exaudi nos. 

Pater de ccelis Deus, 
miserere nobis. 

Fili Redemptor mundi 
Deus, miserere no- 
bis. 

Spiritus Sancte Deus, 
miserere nobis. 

Sancta Trinitas unus 
Deus, miserere no- 
bis. 



LORD, have mercy on 
us. 

Christ, have mercy on 
us. 

Lord,havemercyonus. 

Christ, hear us. 

Christ, graciously 
hear us. 

God the Father of 
heaven, have mercy 
on us. 

God the Son, Redeem- 
er of the world, 
have mercy on us. 

God the Holy Ghost, 
have mercy on us. 

Holy Trinity, one 
God, have mercy on 
us. 

604 



THE LITANY OF THE SAOTS. 



605 



Sancta Maria, ora pro 

nobis. 
Sancta Dei gene- 

trix, 

Sancta Virgo vir- 
ginum, 

Sancte Michael, 

Sancte Gabriel, 

Sancte Raphael, 

Oinnes sancti Angeli 
et Archangeli, orate 
pro nobis. 

Omnes sancti beato- 
nim Spirit uum or- 
dines, orate, etc. 

Sancte Joannes Bap- 
tista, 

Sancte Joseph, 

Omnes sancti patri- 
archs et prophetee, 
orate pro nobis. 

Sancte Petre, 

Sancte Paule, 

Sancte Andrea, 

Sancte Jacobe, 

Sancte Joannes, 

Sancte Thoma, 

Sancte Jacobe, 

Sancte Philippe, 



Holy Mary, pray 
ns. 

Holy Mother of 
God, 

Holy Virgin of 
virgins, 

St. Michael, 

St. Gabriel, 

St. Raphael, 

AH ye holy An- 
gels and Arch- 
angels, 

All ye holy orders 
of blessed spi- 
rits, 

St. John the Bap- 
tist, 

St. Joseph, 

All ye holy pa- 
triarchs and 
prophets, 

St. Peter, 

St. Paul, 

St. Andrew, 

St. James, 

St. John, 

St, Thomas, 

St. James, 

St. Philip, 



for 



606 



THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS. 



Sancte Bartholo- 

maee, 
Sancte Matthaee, 
Sancte Simon, 
Sancte Thaddsee, 
Sancte Mathia, 
Sancte Barnaba, 
Sancte Luca, 
Sancte Marce, 
Omnes sancti apostoli 

et evangelistae, orate 

pro nobis. 
Omnes sancti discipuli 

Domini, orate pro 

nobis, 
Omnes sancti Innocen- 

tes, orate pro nobis, 
Sancte Stephane, ora, 

etc. 

Sancte Laurenti, ora, 
etc. 

Sancte Vincenti, ora, 
etc. 

Sancti Fabiane et 

Sebastiane, 
Sancti Joannes et 

Paule, 
Sancti Cosma et 

Damiane, 



r P 



St. Bartholomew/j 

St. Matthew, 

St. Simon, 

St. Thaddeus, 

St. Matthias, 

St. Barnaby, 

St. Luke, 

St. Mark, 

All ye holy apos- 
tles and evange- 
lists, 

All ye holy disci- 
ples of our Lord, 



All ye holy Inno- 
cents, 
St. Stephen, 

St. Lawrence, 

St. Vincent, 

SS. Fabian and 

Sebastian, 
SS. Paul and 

John, 
SS. Cosmas and 

Damian, 



THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS. 



Sancti Gervasi et^ O 

Protasi, 
Omnes sancti 

martyres, 
Sancte Sylvester, 
Sancte Gregori, 
Sancte Ainbrosi, 
Sancte Augustine, 
Sancte Hierony- 

me, 

Sancte Martine, 
Sancte Nicolae, 
Omnes sancti ponti- 

fices et confessores, 

orate, etc. 
Omnes sancti doctores, 

orate, etc. 
Sancte Antoni, ora, etc. 
Sancte Benedicte, ora, 

etc. 

Sancte Bernarde, ora, 
etc. 

Sancte Dominice, ora, 
etc. 

Sancte Francisce, ora, 
etc. 

Omnes sancti sacerdo- 
tes et Levitse, orate, 
etc. 



SS. Gervase andl 
Protase, 

All ye holy mar- 
tyrs, 

St. Sylvester, 

St. Gregory, 

St. Ambrose, 

St. Augustine, 

St. Jerome, 

St. Martin, 

St. Nicholas, 

All ye holy bish- 
ops and confes- 
sors, 

All ye holy doc- 
tors, 
St. Anthony, 
St. Benedict, 

St. Bernard, 

St. Dominic, 

St. Francis, 

All ye holy priests 
and Levites, 



608 THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS. 



Omnes sancti monaclii 

et eremita?, orate, etc. 
Sancta Maria 

Magdalena, 
Sancta Agatha, 
Sancta Lucia, 
Sancta Agnes, 
Sancta Csecilia, 
Sancta Catharina, 
Sancta Anastasia, j 
Omnes sanctae virgi- 

nes et viduae, orate, 

etc . 

Omnes sancti et sanc- 
tae Dei, intercedite 
pro nobis. 

Propitius esto, parce 
nobis, Domine. 

Propitius esto, exaudi 
nos, Domine. 

Ab omni malo, libera 
nos, Domine. 

Ab omni peccato, li- 
bera nos, Domine. 

Ab ira tua, libera nos, 
Domine. 



All ye holy monks 
and hermits, 

St. Mary Magda- 
len, 

St. Agatha, 

St. Lucy, 

St. Agnes, 

St. Cecily, 

St. Catharine, 

St. Anastasia, 

All ye holy virgins and 
widows, pray, etc. 

All y e men and 
women, Saints of 
God, make interces- 
sion for us. 

Be merciful unto us, 
spare us, 0 Lord. 

Be merciful unto us, 
graciously hear us, 
0 Lord. 

From all evil, 0 Lord, 
deliver us. 

From all sin, O Lord, 
deliver us. 

From thy wrath, 0 
Lord, deliver us. 



THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS. 



ijL b ILU1 La.il tid t5L 




X1U111 d 0 ULLLLCll 


1JLLL Ul U V Ibd 111U1- 




dllU. U.lljJl U V lucU 


+P 




death, 


Ah ihqimtic riicirin 
xx,U lllbltlllb tlldUU- 




T^Tnm "flip rlpppi+Q 
X 1 lUIIl Lilt? LLcUt-ilb 






Ul Lilt; U.fc?Vll, 


At) ira et odio et 




From anger, ha- 


onmi mala vo- 




tred, and all ill- 


luntate 




will, 


A spiritu f ornica- 




From the impure 


tionis 




spirit, 


A in I rrn t»o ai~ +om 




Tr Y* r\ tyi UnrlifniTin' 
X 1 1 U ILL llgllLIllil^ 


pestate, 


<s>. 


and tempest, 


A morte perpetua, 


& 


From p vpt*1 a sti n o» 






death, 


Ppv nn v«:+,pti n m 

X. C/X illy il'jCl L LL 111 




xiiiuugii Liic niyb- 


sanctas incarna- 


b 


tery of thy holy 


tionis tuse, 


i 


inpaT*nat,ir>n 


Per adventum 


<s>. 


HP -h v r> n o* Vi tTiv 

_L 11 1 U U. ci 11 L _L1 V 


tuum, 




pom i no* 

1111X1 c» , 


T*p,t "nati vitafpm 

JL VJJL 11C1 Ul V 1 IU btvlXl 




X ill U U.g 11 Lil J lld- 


tuam, 






Ppt hflnti^mmn pf, 




xxiiuu.4^11 Liiy udp- 


sanctum jejun- 




tism, and holy 


iii TYi tnnm 

1 U ML L LL LL111, 




xdo Liii^, 


Per crucem et 




Through thy 


passionem tu- 




Cross and pas- 


am, 




sion, 


Per mortem et ^ 




Through thy- 



39 



610 THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS. 



s e p u 1 1 u r a in 1 

tnam, 
Per sanctam res- 

u r r e ct i o n e in ^ 

tuani, 
Per adniirabilem 

a s c e n s ion e in 

tnam, 
Per adventuni 

Spiritus sancti 

Paracliti, 

In die judicii, 

Peccatores, te roga- 

mus, audi nos. 
Ut nobis parcas, 1 

Ut nobis indul- 
geas, 

Ut ad vera m 
pee nit ent iam 
nos perducere f °° 
digneris, 

Ut Ecclesiam 
tnam sanctam 
regere et con- 
seryare digne- 
ris, 



death and buri- 
al, 

Through thy holy 
resurrection, 



Through thy ad- 
mirable ascen- 
sion, 

Through the 
coming of the 
Holy Ghost, the 
Comforter, 

In the day of 
judgment, 

We sinners do beseech 
thee to hear us. 

That thou spare 
us, 

That thou pardon 
us, 

That thou vouch- 
safe to bring us 
to true penance, 



That thou vouch- 
safe to govern 
and preserve 
thy holy 
Church, 



THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS. 



611 



Ut domnum Apos- 
tolicum et om- 
nes ecclesiasti- 
cos ordines in 
sancta religione 
conservare dig- 
neris, 

Ut ininiicos sanc- 
tae Ecclesiae 
humiliare dig- 
neris, 

Ut regibus et 
principibus 
Christianis pa- 
cem et veram 
concordiam do- 
nare digneris, 

Ut cuncto populo 
Christiano pa- 
cero. e t unita- 
tem largiri dig- 
neris, 

Ut nosmetipsos in 
tuo sancto ser- 
vitio conf or- 
tare et conser- 
yare digneris, 



That thou vouch- 
safe to preserve 
our Supreme 
Pontiff, and all 
ecclesiastical 
orders in holy 
religion, 

That thou vouch- 
safe to hum- 
ble the enemies 
of the holy 
Church, 

That thou vouch- 
safe to give 
peace and true 
concord to 
Christian kings 
and princes, 

That thou vouch- 
s a f e to grant 
peace and unity 
to all Christian 
people, 

That thou vouch- 
safe to confirm 
and preserve us 
in thy holy ser- 
vice, 



612 THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS! 



Ut nientes nostras " 
ad coelestia de- 
sideria erigas, 

Ut omnibus bene- 
factoribus nos- 
tris sempiterna 
bona retribuas, 

U t anirnas nos- 
tras, fratrnm 
propinquorum, 
e t benefactor 
rum nostrorum, 
ab seterna dam- 
natione eripias, 

tli fructus terra? 
dare et conser- 
vare digneris, 



Ut omnibus fide- 
libus defunetis 
requiem aeter- 
nam donare dig- 
neris, 

Ut nos exaudire 
disrneris, 



That thou lift up] 
our minds t o 
heavenly d e - 
sires, 

That thou ren- 
der eternal good 
things to all our 
benefactors. 

That thou deliver 
our souls, and 
those of our 
brethren, kins- 
folks, and ben- 
efactors, from 
eternal damna- 
tion, 

That thou vouch- 
safe to give and 
preserve the 
fruits of the 
earth, 

That thou vouch- 
safe to give 
eternal rest to 
all the faithful 
departed, 

That thou vouch- 
safe graciously 
to hear us, J 



THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS. 



613 



Fili Dei, Te regamus, 
audi nos. 

Agnus Dei, qui tollis 
p e c c a t a mundi, 
p a r c e nobis, Do- 
mine. 

Agnus Dei, qui tollis 
peccata mundi, ex- 
audi nos, Domine. 



Agnus Dei, qui tollis 
peccata mundi, mis- 
erere nobis. 

Christe, audi nos. 
Christe, exaudinos. 
Kyrie eleison. 
Christe eleison. 
Kyrie eleison. Pater 
noster, secrete 



V. Et ne nos indu- 
cas in tentationem. 

V. Sed libera nos a 
malo. 



Son of God, We be- 
seech thee to hear us. 

Lamb of God, who 
takest away the sins 
of the world, spare 
us, 0 Lord. 

Lamb, of God, who 
takest away the sins 
of the world, gra- 
ciously hear us, O 
Lord. 

Lamb of God, who 
takest away the 
sins of the world, 
have mercy on us. 

Christ, hear us. 
Christ, graciously 
hear us. Lord, 
have mercy on us. 
Christ, have mercy 
on us. Lord, have 
mercy on us. Our 
Father (in an under 
tone). 

V. And lead us not 
into temptation. 

R. But deliver us 
from evil. 



614 THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS. 



TvEUS, in adjuto- 
*J riuni meum in- 
tende :. Domine, ad 
adjuvanduin me fes- 
tina. 

Confundantur et 
revereantur, qui quse- 
runt a n i m a m me- 
ani : 

Avertantur retror- 
sum, et erubescant, 
qui volunt mihi 
mala : 

Avertantur statim 
erubescentes, qui 
dicunt mihi : Euge, 
euge. 

Exultent et laeten- 
tur in te omnes qui 
quserunt te, et dicant 
semper : Magnificetur 
Do-minus ; qui diligunt 
salutare tuum. 

Ego vero egenus et 



LXIX. 

A GOD, come to my 
V assistance ; O Lord, 
make haste to help 
me. 

Let them be con- 
founded and ashamed 
that seek my soul : 

Let them be turned 
backward, and blush 
for shame, that desire 
evils to me : 

Let them be pres- 
ently turned away 
blushing for shame 
that say to me : 'Tis 
well, 'tis well. 

Let all that seek 
thee rejoice and be 
glad in thee ; and 
let such as love thy 
salvation say always : 
The Lord be magni- 
fied. 

But I am needy and 



THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS. 



615 



pauper sum : Deus, 
adjuva me. 

Adjutor mens et lib- 
erator m e u s es tu : 
Dornine, ne mcreris. 

Gloria Patri, etc. 

V. Salvos f ac servos 
tuos. 

B. Deus meus, spe- 
rantes in te. 

V. Esto nobis, 
Domine, turris forti- 
tudinis. 

B. A facie inimici. 

V. Nihil proficiat 
inimicus in nobis. 

B. Et films iniquita- 
tis non apponat nocere 
nobis. 

V. Domine, non se- 
cundum peccata nostra 
facias nobis. 

B. Neque secundum 
iniquitates nostras re- 
tribuas nobis. 



poor ; 0 God, help 
me. 

Thou art my helper 
and my deliverer : 0 
Lord, make no delay. 

G 1 o r y be to the 
Father, etc. 

V. Save thy ser- 
vants. 

B. Trusting in 
thee, 0 my God. 

V. Be unto us, O 
Lord, a tower of 
strength. 

B. From the face of 
the enemy. 

V. Let not the en. 
emy prevail against us 
at all. 

B. Nor the son of 
iniquity have any 
power to hurt us. 

V, O Lord, deal not 
with us according to 
our sins. 

B. Neither reward 
us according to our 
iniquities. 



616 THE LITAXY OF THE SAINTS. 



Y. Orenius pro pon- 
tifice nostro If. 

B, Dominus conser- 
vet eum, et vivificet 
eum, et beatum faciat 
eum in terra, et non 
tradat eum in animarn 
inimicorum ejus. 

V. 0 r e m u s pro 
benef acToribus nos- 
tris. 

B. Retribuere dig- 
nare, Doniine, omni- 
bus nobis bona facien- 
tibus, propter nomen 
tuuni, vitam aeternam. 
Amen, 

V. Oremus pro fide- 
libus defunctis. 

B. Requiem aeter- 
nam dona eis, Do- 
mine : et lux perpetua 
luceat eis. 

Y. Requiescant in 
pace. 

B. A men. 

Y. Pro fratribus 
nostris absentibus. 



V. Let us pray for 
our chief Bishop, JV. 

B. The Lord pre- 
serve him, and give 
him life, and make 
him blessed upon 
earth, and deliver him 
not to the will of his 
enemies. 

T. Let us pray for 
our benefactors. 

B. V o u c h s a f e, 0 
Lord, for thy name's 
sake, to reward with 
eternal life all those 
who have done us 
good. Amen. 

V. Let us pray for 
the faithful departed. 

B. Eternal rest give 
them, 0 Lord ; and let 
perpetual light shine 
upon them. 

Y. May they rest in 
peace. 

B. Amen. 

Y. For our absent 
brethren. 



THE LITAXY OF THE SAINTS. 



617 



B. Salvos f ac servos 
tuos, Deus nieus, spe- 
rantes in te. 

V. Mitte eis, Do- 
mine, a ux ilium de 
sancto. 

B. Et de Sion tuere 
eos. 

V. Domine, ex audi 
orationem meam. 

B. Et clamor mens 
ad te veniat. 



B. 0 my God, save 
thy servants trusting 
in thee. 

V. Send them help, 
0 Lord, from thy holy 
place. 

B. And from Sion 
protect them. 

V. 0 Lord, hear my 
prayer. 

B. And let my cry 
come unto thee. 



LET US PRAY. 

OGOD, whose property is always to 
have mercy, and to spare, receive 
our petition, that we and all thy ser- 
vants who are bound by the chains of 
sin, may, by the compassion of thy 
goodness, be mercifully absolved. 

HEAR, we beseech thee, 0 Lord, the 
prayers of thy suppliants, and par- 
don the sins of them that confess to 
thee, that, in thy bounty, thou may est 
give us pardon and peace. 



618 THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS. 

OUT of thy clemency, 0 Lord, show 
thy unspeakable mercy to us ; that 
so thou mayest both acquit us of our 
sins and deliver us from the punish- 
ments we deserve for them. 

OGOD, who by sin art offended, and 
by penance pacified, mercifully re- 
gard the prayers of thy people making 
supplication to thee, and turn away the 
scourges of thy anger, which we de- 
serve for our sins. 

0 ALMIGHTY and Eternal God, 
have mercy on thy servant, JV"., 
our chief bishop, and direct him ac- 
cording to thy clemency, into the way 
of everlasting salvation ; that, by thy 
grace, he may desire those things that 
are agreeable to thee, and perform them 
with all his strength. 

OGOD, from whom are all holy de- 
sires, right counsels, and just 
works, give to thy servants that peace 
which the world cannot give ; that our 



THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS. 619 

hearts may be disposed to keep thy 
commandments, and the fear of ene- 
mies being removed, the times, by thy 
protection, may be peaceable. 

INFLAME, 0 Lord, our reins and 
hearts with the fire of thy Holy Spirit, 
that we may serve thee with chaste bo- 
dies, and please thee with clean hearts. 

OGOD, the Creator and Eedeemer of 
all the faithful, give to the souls of 
thy servants departed the remission of 
all their sins, that, through pious sup- 
plications, they may obtain the pardon 
which they have always desired. 

PKOMPT, we beseech thee, 0 Lord, 
our actions by thy holy inspirations, 
and carry them on by thy gracious as- 
sistance ; that every prayer and work of 
ours may begin always from thee, and 
by thee be happily ended. 

0 ALMIGHTY and Eternal God, who 
hast dominion over the living and 
the dead, and art merciful to all whom 



620 



THE LITANY OF THE SAIXTS. 



thou f oreknowest shall be thine by faith 
and good works ; we humbly beseech 
thee, that they for whom we have 
determined to ofEer up our prayers, 
whether this world still detains them 
in the flesh, or the world to come 
has already received them out of their 
bodies, may, by the clemency of thy 
goodness, all thy saints interceding for 
them, obtain pardon and full remission 
of all their sins : Through our Lord 
Jesus Christ, thy Son, who liveth 
and reigneth, one God with thee and 
the Holy Ghost, world without end. 
Amen. 

V. 0 Lord, hear my prayer. 
R. And let my cry come unto thee. 
V. May the Almighty and most mer- 
ciful Lord graciously hear us. 
R. Amen. 

V. And may the souls of the faithful 
departed, through the mercy of God, rest 
in peace. 

R. Amen. 



A NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH. 



621 



PRAYER TO OUR ANGEL GUARDIAN. 

A NGrELE Dei, qui A NGEL of God, my 
^ custos es mei, me guardian dear, 
tibi commissum pieta- To whom his love 
te superna illumina, commits me here, 
custodi, rege, et gu- Ever this day be at 
berna. Amen. my side, 

To light and guard, 
to rule and guide. 
Amen. 

A NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH. 

DIRECTIONS FOR EACH DAY OF THE NOVENA. 

Say one of the following prayers ; recite the 
Our Father, and the Hail Mary, three times ; 
and conclude by the Oblation : 0 holy Joseph, 
etc., page 631. 

ON" THE FIRST DAY. 

BLESSED St, Joseph, born to be the 
guardian of Jesus, the protector and 
consoler of Mary ! make powerful inter- 
cession for me, that my pious resolu- 
tions may not prove abortive ; that I 
may be born to an interior and spiritual 
life ; that I may have such an increase 



622 A NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH. 

of sanctity, so ardent a love of purity, 
so great a conviction of my own vileness, 
so clear a light of the emptiness and 
vanity of worldly grandeur, as to esteem 
and relish only things that are eternal : 
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, etc., 
etc. 

0^ THE SECOKD DAY. 

OMNIPOTENT Creator, whose uner- 
ring providence adds joy every mo- 
ment to the angels in heaven, and to 
the saints upon earth ! I most humbly 
beg, through the intercession of St. 
Joseph, that I may cheerfully acquiesce 
and rejoice in everything that comes 
from thy fatherly hand ; that I may be 
vigorous in executing thy divine will, 
and glorify thee in my present state. 
Grant me the true spirit of mortifica- 
tion, to subdue my stubborn passions, to 
satisfy for what is past, and to be a pre- 
servative from future dangers. Grant, 
that by purity of intention, the meanest 



A NOYENA TO ST. JOSEPH. 



623 



of my actions may be acceptable to thee, 
as was the mite of the poor widow, 
which was put into the treasury of the 
temple: Through Jesus Christ, our 
Lord. Amen. 

OST THE THIKD DAY. 

OMNIPOTENT God, at whose com- 
mand every tree produced fruit of 
its kind ! grant, through the interces- 
sion of Mary and Joseph, that I may 
serve thee faithfully in the state in 
which thou hast placed me. I firmly 
believe all thou hast revealed ; protect 
me, lest I should be found among the 
number of those foolish Virgins, who 
carried lamps without oil. Assist me 
with thy powerful grace, that I may be 
humble, charitable, and chaste ; and not 
be like the barren fig-tree, fit only to 
become fuel for eternal flames. This 
grace I implore through the infinite 
merits of Jesus, my Saviour. Amen. 



624 



A NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH. 



OlST THE FOUKTH DAY. 

HOLY GHOST, God of all comfort ! 
If thou seest it expedient for the 
security of my salvation that I should 
be oppressed with tribulation, permit 
me not to fall. Infinite Power ! bear 
me up ; thou knowest my weakness. 
Favor me with thy grace, that I may be 
compassionate toward my neighbor, 
and govern myself with the same spirit 
of lenity and charity, as if the case were 
my own. I deplore my censorious tem- 
per, and resolve to be upon my guard. 
I return thee thanks for inspiring me 
with the resolution of becoming better ; 
but of myself I am not able to persevere 
in my good intentions. I beg thy as- 
sistance, that I may fulfill what thou 
commandest ; and then, dear Lord, 
command what thou pleasest. Afflict 
me with such crosses as I can endure, 
that I may discharge at least a part of 
the great debt due to the divine justice. 



A NO YEN A TO ST. JOSEPH. 625 



Grants through the intercession of St. 
Joseph^ that after my temporal trials, 
whether exterior or interior, I may find 
that permanent joy with which thou 
renderest him, and his immaculate 
Spouse, eternally happy : Through the 
merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, etc. 
Amen. 

OK THE FIFTH DAY. 

0 INFINITE God ! how truly may it 
be said of me, The ox knoiveth his 
owner, and the ass his master's crib ; 
but thou knowest not thy Lord. I ad- 
mire thy love and charity ; I am ashamed 
of my tepidity and ingratitude. Infinite 
goodness ! I come too late to love thee, 
but although it be the eleventh hour, 
bestow on me the promised reward : be 
to me a Saviour. Thou who hast bled 
for me, let me partake of thy eternal 
charity. Grant, that through the in- 
tercession of St. Joseph, my good reso- 
lutions may be perfected. I also beg, 

40 



626 A NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH. 

that when I entertain thee in the most 
blessed Sacrament, I may be favored 
with the same sentiments of adoration, 
love, and thanksgiving, that St. Joseph 
experienced, when he received thee from 
Simeon, to restore thee to thy blessed 
Mother. Amen. 

0^ THE SIXTH DAY. 

JESUS, my Maker and my Master, 
without whose merciful assistance I 
walk in darkness and perish, I most 
humbly beg, through the intercession 
of St. Joseph, that thou wilt grant me 
grace to escape from the servitude of 
sin, under which I have so long groaned ; 
in order that I may enjoy the liberty of 
thy faithful servants. I have frequently 
experienced thy goodness, and I know 
thy power ; my trust is in both. Oh ! 
grant me constancy to despise the al- 
lurements of the world, and to remain 
undaunted under afflicting terrors. My 
dear Kedeemer, I have too often lost 



A XOTEXA TO ST. JOSEPH. 



627 



thee by sin ; I have willingly and will- 
fully parted with thee, to follow my 
corrupt inclinations. 0 God ! who 
didst come to seek sinners, take pity on 
me who am the greatest. Thou art 
now pleased to bless me with such a 
true sense of my former offenses, that I 
griere not so much for the fear of pun- 
ishment, as for the misfortune of haying 
offended thee, the center of all good- 
ness. 

I steadfastly purpose, through thy 
grace, to seek thee seriously, by the re- 
formation of my life, that I may find 
thee in the heayenly Jerusalem, reign- 
ing with the Father and the Holy Ghost, 
world without end. Amen. 

OX THE SEYEXTH DAY. 

OMN" IPOTEXT God, who descendedst 
from he ay en to bring fire on the 
earth ! inflame my frozen heart, that I 
may imitate the virtues of St. Joseph. 
As a poor wretch at the gate of some 



628 A NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH. 

noble and generous prince, expecting 
an alms, so I appear before thee, 
wounded in all my senses by sin, and 
imploring charity in my great distress. 
I grieve for what is passed, not because 
I fear, but because I love. Nothing 
has succeeded with me, because I never 
consulted thee as I ought : I hope, 0 
Lord ! that I do not come too late. I 
beg, through the intercession of St. 
Joseph, that I may avoid evil, and do 
good ; that I may leave the broad way 
of iniquity, and walk in the narrow 
road that leads to eternal happiness ; 
that I may consecrate the remaining 
days of my short life to thy honor, and 
attain the end for which I was created 
— to admire, praise, and love thee, for- 
ever and ever. Amen. 

OX THE EIGHTH DAY. 

OMOST glorious Patriarch ! my dear 
Patron ! blessed are the eyes that 
see what you now see. Through the 



A N0VENA TO ST. JOSEPH. 



629 



infinite merits of Christ, and by your 
powerful intercession, I hope, with holy 
Job, that in my flesh I shall see God 
my Saviour. Stretch out in favor of 
your unworthy client, those happy 
arms, that so often bore the Son of 
God, and provided for him. Petition 
that I may live, as I wish to die, al- 
ways in the divine favor. I humbly 
implore you to entreat your immacu- 
late Spouse, to unite her supplications 
with yours, that I may be of the blessed 
number of the elect. I most sincerely 
desire that you may be present at the 
dreadful hour of my death ; and that 
the last words uttered by my parting 
breath may be Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. 

Thy mercy is above all thy works, 0 
most holy Trinity ! I now appeal from 
the tribunal of thy justice, and pros- 
trate myself before the throne of thy 
mercy, to obtain the pardon of my 
sins, and grace to persevere in keeping 
thy commandments to the end of my 



630 A NOTEXA TO ST. -JOSEPH. 

life. TTho livest and reignest one God. 
forever and ever. Amen. 

OX THE irarCH DAT. 

HOLY Sr. Joseph, you who are that 
good and faithful servant, to whom 
God committed the care of his family ; 
whom he appointed guardian and pro- 
tector of the life of Jesus Christ, the 
comfort and support of his holy mo- 
ther, and the depository of his great 
design of the redemption of mankind : 
you who had the happiness of living 
with Jesus and Mary, and of dying in 
their arms : chaste spouse of the mo- 
ther of God : model and patron of pure 
souls, humble, patient, and reserved : 
be moved with the confidence we place 
in your intercession, and accept with 
kindness this testimony of our devo- 
tion. 

We give thanks to God for the signal 
favor he hath been pleased to confer on 
you, and we conjure him, through your 



A NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH. 



631 



intercession, to enable us to imitate 
your virtues. Pray for us, then, 0 
great Saint ; and by that love which, 
you had for Jesus and Mary, and by 
the love which they had for you. obtain 
for us the incomparable happiness of 
living and dying in the love of Jesus 
and Mary. Amen. 

A YOTITE OBLATIOX TO ST. JOSEPH, TO 
CHOOSE HM EOE OEK PATEOX. 

OHOLY Joseph, virgin spouse of the 
Virgin Mother of God, most glori- 
ous advocate of all such as are in dan- 
ger, or in their last agony, and most 
faithful protector of all the servants of 
Mary, your dearest spouse, I, N., in 
the presence of Jesus and Mary, do, 
from this moment, choose you for my 
powerful patron and advocate, in order 
that I may obtain the grace of a most 
happy death : I firmly resolve and pur- 
pose never to forsake you ; not to say, 
or do anything against your honor. 



632 A NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH. 

Keceiye me, therefore, for your con- 
stant servant, and recommend me to 
the constant protection of Mary, your 
dearest spouse, and to the everlasting 
mercies of Jesus my Saviour. Assist 
me in all the actions of my life ; I now 
offer them to the greater and everlast- 
ing glory of Jesus and Mary, as well as 
to your own. 

EFFICACIOUS PKAYER TO ST. JOSEPH. 

TT'IRGrlNUM custos et pater, Sancte 
f Joseph, cujus fideli custodies ipsa 
innocentia, Christus Jesus, et Virgo 
virginum, Maria, commissa fuit ; te 
per hoc utrumque carissimum pignus, 
Jesum et Mariam, obsecro, et obtestor, 
ut me ab omni immunditia praeserva- 
tum, mente incontaminata, puro corde, 
et casto corpore Jesu et Marise semper 
facias castissime f amulari. 
R. Amen. 

GUARDIAN of virgins, and Father, 
holy Joseph, to whose faithful cus- 



PRAYER TO ST. PETER OF ALCANTARA. 633 

tody Christ Jesus, very innocence, and 
Mary, Virgin of virgins, were com- 
mitted ; I pray and beg of thee, by 
these dear pledges, Jesus and Mary, 
free me from all uncleanness, and make 
me with spotless mind, pure heart, and 
chaste body, ever most chastely to 
serve Jesus and Mary, all the days of 
my life. Amen. 

PRAYER TO ST. PETER OF ALCANTARA. 

OGOD, who was pleased to render 
blessed Peter, thy confessor, emi- 
nent for his piety and holiness, and to 
endow him with a wonderful spirit of 
prayer, grant, we beseech thee, that our 
souls may receive an increase of thy 
grace while in thy mercy thou bestow- 
est on us the temporal favor which we 
implore [here make your request], to 
thy greater honor and glory, through 
Christ our Lord. 



634 PRAYER TO BLESSED PETER. 



PRAYER TO BLESSED PETER. 

0 BLESSED servant of God, thou 
who didst unite the contemplation 
of prayer to the activity of charity in 
providing for the wants of thy brethren, 
be moved by the confidence we place in 
thy intercession, and obtain us the fa- 
vors we implore through thy mediation. 
Blessed Peter of Alcantara, obtain our 
request. 



PAET IV. 



ikrtotts Citatms anir ©rcastonal 

LITANY OF HOPE. 

BY PIUS VI. 

f ORD, have mercy upon me. 
^ Christ, have mercy upon me. 
Lord, have mercy upon me. 
0 God the Father of heaven, Have mercy 
upon me. 

0 God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have 

mercy upon me. 
0 God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy upon me. 
0 Holy Trinity one God, Have mercy upon 

me. 

Thou, who art able to help me at all times'] ^ 
and in all things, |* 
Thou, who canst aid me in all things, ^ ^ 
Thou, who hast so often promised to come 
to my assistance, J 

635 



636 



LITANY OF HOPE. 



All necessary graces natural and super-" 
natural, health of body, daily food, thy 
support in all my actions, thy protec- 
tion against all misfortunes and dan- 
gers, 

Thy powerful aid in temptation and the 
allurement of sin, 

Courage and patience in all miseries and 
adversities, 

Pardon of my sins, the serious amend- 
ment of my life, progress in all virtues, 
increase in thy grace, perseverance in 
good, 

A death full of merits and virtues, 
Eternal joy and felicity with thee in hea- 
ven, 

All this, without servile fear, without 
pusillanimity and distrust, without 
wavering when thy aid is deferred, 

Should all misfortunes overtake me, should 
the whole world conspire against me, 
shouldest thou seem to forsake me, I hope 
in thee, 0 my God. 

Xot in myself nor in my strength, not in the 
favor or aid of man, not in the wisdom, 
power, and prudence of the world, but in 
thee alone, I hope, 0 my God. 



LITA.NT OF HOPE. 637 

In thy omnipotence, thy providence, thy 
goodness, in thy infallible fidelity in 
keeping thy promises ; in thy grace 
which thou never refusest to them that 
invoke thee, in thy aid, 
In the intercession of all the saints, 
In union with that firm confidence, and 
that unshaken hope which all the just j- O 
of the old law put in thee ; in union with 
that filial confidence, and that hope 
which all the just of the new law have 
put in thee ; in union with that most 
perfect confidence and hope which the 
holy and blessed Virgin has put in 
thee, 

I hope in thee, 0 my God. 
Our Father, etc. 



LET US PKAY. 

OGOD, who dost not abandon nor 
confound any of them that hope 
in thee, I implore thee by thy paternal 
goodness, and by Jesus Christ, thy 
dear Son, to give me a filial confidence 
in thee, and a continual distrust of my- 
self, in order that in all necessities, 



638 LITANY OF ST. FRANCIS XAYIER. 

wants and dangers, I may have recourse 
to thee alone, for thou alone canst aid 
me, and thou knowest what is useful 
for me. To thee and thy most loving 
providence I abandon myself entirely ; 
grant only, 0 my God, that I may never 
displease thee, but that I may ever re- 
main faithful to thee, till I arrive where 
thou completely fulfillest the hope of 
thy elect. Amen. 



THE LITANY OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER. 

T ORD, have mercy on us. 

Christ, have mercy on us. 
Lord, have mercy on us. 
Christ, hear us. 
Christ, graciously hear us. 
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. 
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have 

mercy on us, 
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us. 
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us. 
Holy Mary, pray for us. 
Holy Father Ignatius, pray for us. 
St. Francis Xavier, most worthy son of St. 

Ignatius, pray for us. 



LITANY OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER. 6 

St. Francis Xavier, apostle of the Indies, 
St. Francis Xavier, evangelizing peace, 
St. Francis Xavier, evangelizing all good, 
Vessel of election, carrying the name of 

Jesus before Gentiles, 
Vessel full of divine grace, 
Firmament of the Oriental Church, 
Defender of the faith, 
Enemy of infidelity, 
Preacher of evangelical truth, 
Destroyer of idols, 

Chosen instrument of the eternal Father 
for the propagation of divine glory, 

Faithful follower and companion of Jesus 
Christ, 

Trumpet of the Holy Ghost, 
Pillar of the Church of God, 
Light of infidels, 
Master of the faithful, 
3Iirror of true piety, 
Guide in the way of virtue and perfec- 
tion, 

Pattern of apostolical spirit and sanctity, 
Light of the blind, 
Curer of the lame, 

Helper of those that suffer shipwreck, 
Health of the sick, 

Protector in time of plague, famine, and 
war, from whom the devils fly, 



G40 LITANY OF ST. FRANCIS X ATI EE. 



Life of the dead, 

Whose power the sea and tempests obey, 
Whose command the sea and all elements 

reverence, 
Wonderful worker of miracles, 
Refuge of the miserable, 
Comfort of the afflicted, 
Splendor of the East, 
Tabernacle of incorruption, 
Treasurer of divine love, 
Glory of the society of Jesus, 
Xavier most poor, 
Xavier most chaste, 
Xavier most obedient, 

Xavier most humble, * 
Xavier most desirous of the cross and la- 
bors of Christ, 
Xavier most vigilant in the safety of your 
neighbor, 

Xavier most zealous of Grod's glory, and 
the good of souls, 

Angel in life and manners, 

Patriarch in affection, and care of God's 
people, 

Prophet in gift and spirit, 

Apostle in dignity and merit, 

Doctor of Gentiles in all sorts of lan- 
guages, 

Martyr in desiring to die for Christ, 



LITANY OF ST. FBAXCIS XAYTER. 641 

Confessor in virtue and profession of life, 

pray for us. 
Virgin in body and mind, pray for us. 
In whom we reverence, through, the divine 

goodness, the merits of all saints, pray for 

us. 

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 

the world, spare us, 0 Lord. 
Lamb of Gfod, who takest away the sins of 

the world, graciously hear us, 0 Lord. 
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 

the world, have mercy on us, 0 Lord. 
Christ, hear us. 
Christ, graciously hear us. 
Lord, have mercy on us. 
Christ, have mercy on us. 
Our Father, etc. 

V. Pray for us, St. Francis Xavier. 
M. That we may be made worthy of the 
promises of Christ. 

LET US PEAT. 

LOED GOD, who hast vouchsafed by 
the preaching and miracles of St. 
Francis Xavier, to join unto thy 
Church the countries of the Indies, 

41 



642 PRAYERS TO ST. PATRICK. 



grant propitiously, we beseech thee, 
that reverencing his glorious merits, 
we may also imitate his example. 
Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

PRAYERS TO ST. PATRICK. 

0 BLESSED apostle of Ireland ! glori- 
ous St. Patrick ! who didst become 
the father and benefactor of that land 
long before my birth, receive my pray- 
ers, and accept the sentiments of grati- 
tude and veneration with which my 
heart is filled toward thee. Thou wast 
the channel of the greatest graces ; 
deign then to become also the channel 
of my grateful thanksgivings to God 
for having granted, through thee, that 
precious gift of faith which is dearer 
to us than life. 0 most blessed father 
and patron of that country ! do not, I 
beseech thee, despise my weakness. 
Remember that the cries of little chil- 
dren were the mysterious invitation 



PRAYERS TO ST. PATRICK. 643 

that thou didst receive to go thither. 
Listen then to my most humble suppli- 
cations ; I unite them to the praises and 
blessings which will ever follow thy 
name and thy memory throughout the 
Irish Church ; I unite them to the 
prayers of the multitude of our ances- 
tors, who now enjoy eternal bliss, and 
owe their salvation, under God, to thy 
zeal and charity. They will eternally 
share thy glory, because they listened 
to thy word and followed thy example. 
Ah ! since I am descended from saints, 
may I blush to differ from them ; may 
I begin from this moment to love God 
with all my heart, and seiwe him with 
all my strength. For this end I most 
humbly beg thy blessing, 0 great St. 
Patrick ! and thy particular interces- 
sion, for obtaining whatever grace thou 
seest to be most necessary for me. 
Amen. 



644 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 



PRAYERS TO ST. TERESA. 

TTOLY St. Teresa, most pure Virgin, 
" by that extraordinary favor, which 
Almighty God conferred on thee, in 
preserving thee from the snares of the 
devil, during thy stay in this life, I 
most humbly beseech thee to obtain for 
me, by thy prayers, the grace of doing 
true and salutary penance for all my 
sins, and of never offending the divine 
Majesty during the remainder of my 
life : through Christ Jesus our Lord, 
Amen. 



THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 

There are few prayers so capable of disarm- 
ing the justice of Gfod, as the Penitential 
Psalms. We should endeavor to enter into 
the sentiments of compunction, love, devoted- 
ness, admiration, and confidence, with which 
the Royal Prophet was penetrated when he 
composed them. 

He often speaks of the enemies who perse- 
cuted him, and these expressions may readily 
be applied to the devil and to sin. 



THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 645 



ANTHEM. 

EEMEMBEE not, 0 Lord, our of- 
fenses, nor those of our parents, 
and take not revenge on our sins. 

PSALM VI. DOMINE NE IN FUPvORE. 

1. David, in deep affliction, prays for a miti- 
gation of the divine anger, 4. in consideration 
of God's mercy ; 5. his glory ; 6. his own re- 
pentance ; 8. by faith triumphs over his ene- 
mies. 

OLORD, rebuke me not in thy indignation, 
nor chastise me in thy wrath. 
Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak : 
heal me, 0 Lord, for my bones are troubled. 

And my soul is troubled exceedingly : but 
thou, 0 Lord, how long ? 

Turn to me, 0 Lord, and deliver my soul : 

0 save me for thy mercy's sake. 

For there is no one in death, that is mindful 
of thee : and who shall confess to thee in 
hell? 

I have labored in my groanings, every night 

1 will wash my bed : I will water my couch 
with my tears. 



646 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 



My eye is troubled through indignation : I 
have grown old amongst all my enemies. 

Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity : 
for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weep- 
ing. 

The Lord hath heard my supplication : the 
Lord hath received my prayer. 

Let all my enemies be ashamed, and be very 
much troubled : let them be turned back, and 
be ashamed very speedily. 

Glory be, etc. 



PSALM XXXI. BEATI QUORUM. 

1. Blessings of remission of sins ; 3. misery 
of impenitence. 6. Confession of sinsbring- 
eth ease ; 8. safety ; 14 joy. 

T)LESSED are they whose iniquities are for- 
U given, and whose sins are covered. 

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath 
not imputed sin, and in whose spirit there is 
no guile. 

Because I was silent; my bones grew old ; 
whilst I cried out all the day long. 

For day and night thy hand was heavy upon 
me. I am turned in my anguish, whilst the 
thorn is fastened. 



THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 647 

I have acknowledged my sin to thee, and 
my injustice I have not concealed. 

I said I will confess against myself my in- 
justice to the Lord : and thou hast forgiven 
the wickedness of my sin. 

For this shall every one that is holy pray to 
thee in a seasonable time. 

And yet in a flood of many waters, they 
shall not come nigh unto him. 

Thou art my refuge from the trouble which 
hath encompassed me : my joy, deliver me 
from them that surround me. 

I will give thee understanding, and I will 
instruct thee in this way, in which thou shalt 
go : I will fix my eyes upon thee. 

Do not become like the horse and the mule, 
that have no understanding. 

With bit and bridle bind fast their jaws, 
who come not near unto thee. 

Many are the scourges of the sinner, but 
mercy shall encompass him that hopeth in the 
Lord. 

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye just, 
and glory, all ye right of heart. 
Glory be, etc. 



648 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 



PSALM XXXYII. DOMINE, NE IN FURORE. 

1. David's extreme anguish ; 15. he hoped 
in God ; 18. his resignation, grief ; 22. fer- 
vent prayer. 

D EBUKE me not, 0 Lord, in thy indigna- 
4-* tion ; nor chastise me in thy wrath. 

For thy arrows are fastened in me : and thy 
hand hath been strong upon me. 

There is no health in my flesh, because of 
thy wrath : there is no peace for my bones, 
because of my sins. 

For my iniquities are gone over my head: and 
as a heavy burden are become heavy upon me. 

My sores are putrefied and corrupted, be- 
cause of my foolishness. 

I am become miserable, and am bowed down 
even to the end ; I walked sorrowful all the 
day long. 

For my loins are filled with illusions : and 
there is no health in my flesh. 

I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly : I 
roared with the groaning of my heart. 

Lord, all my desire is before thee, and my 
groaning is not hidden from thee. 

My heart is troubled, my strength hath left 
me, and the light of my eyes itself is not with 
me. 



THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 649 

My friends and my neighbors have drawn 
near, and stood against me. 

And they that were near me stood afar off : 
and they that sought my soul used violence. 

And they that sought evils to me spoke vain 
things, and studied deceits all the day long. 

But I as a deaf man, heard not : and as a 
dumb man not opening his mouth. 

And I became as a man that heareth not : 
and that hath no reproofs in his mouth. 

For in thee, 0 Lord, have I hoped : thou 
wilt hear me, 0 Lord my God. 

For I said : Lest at any time my enemies re- 
joice over me : and whilst my feet are moved, 
they speak great things against me. 

For I am ready for scourges : and my sor- 
row is continually before me. 

For I will declare my iniquity : and I will 
think for my sin. 

But my enemies live, and are stronger than 
I : and they that hate me wrongfully are mul- 
tiplied. 

They that render evil for good, have de- 
tracted me, because I followed goodness. 

Forsake me not, 0 Lord my God : do not 
thou depart from me. 

Attend unto my help, 0 Lord, the God of 
my salvation. 

Glory be, etc. 



650 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 



PSALM L. MISERERE. 

1. David prayeth for remission of his sins ; 
8. for perfect sanctity ; 17. God delighteth 
less in sacrifice than in a contrite heart ; 
19. David prayeth for the building of a tem- 
ple in Jerusalem, figuratively, the exaltation 
of the Church. 

TTAYE mercy on me, 0 God, according to 
thy great mercy. 

And according to the multitude of thy 
[tender] mercies blot out my iniquity : 

"Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and 
cleanse me from my sin. 

For I know my iniquity, and my sin is al- 
ways before me. 

To thee only have I sinned, and have done 
evil before thee : that thou mayest be justified 
in thy words, and mayest overcome when thou 
art judged. 

For behold I was conceived in iniquities ; 
and in sins did my mother conceive me. 

For behold thou hast loved truth : the un- 
certain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou 
hast made manifest to me. 

Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I 
shall be cleansed : thou shalt wash me, and I 
shall be made whiter than snow. 



THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 651 

To my hearing thou shalt give joy and 
gladness ; and the bones that have been hum- 
bled shall rejoice. 

Turn away thy face from mv sins, and blot 
out all my iniquities. 

Create a clean heart in me, 0 God : and re- 
new a right spirit within my bowels. 

Cast me not away from thy face ; and tahe 
not thy holy spirit from me. 

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, 
and strengthen me with a perfect spirit. 

I will teach the unjust thy ways : and the 
wicked shall be converted to thee. 

Deliver me from blood, 0 God, thou God 
of my salvation, and my tongue shall extol 
thy justice. 

0 Lord, thou wilt open my lips : and my 
mouth shall declare thy praise. 

For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would 
indeed have given it : with burnt-offerings 
thou wilt not be delighted. 

A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit : a 
contrite and humble heart, 0 God, thou wilt 
not despise. 

Deal favorably, 0 Lord, in thy good-will 
with Sion ; that the walls of Jerusalem may 
be built up. 

Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of jus- 



652 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 



tice, oblations, and whole burnt-offerings : 
then shall they lay calves upon thy altar. 
Glory be, etc. 

PSALM CI. DOMINE EXAUDI. 

1. The extreme affliction of the psalmist ; 
12. the eternity and mercy of God; 19. to be 
recorded and praised by future generations ; 
26. the unchangeableness of God. 

TJ EAR, 0 Lord, my prayer : and let my cry 
come to thee. 
Turn not away thy face from me : in the 
day when I am in trouble, incline thy ear to 
me. 

In what day soever I shall call upon thee, 
hear me speedily. 

For my days are vanished like smoke : and 
my bones are grown dry- like fuel for the 
fire. 

I am smitten as grass, and my heart is 
withered : because I forgot to eat my bread. 

Through the voice of my groaning, my 
bone hath cleaved to my flesh. 

I am become like to a pelican of the wilder- 
ness : I am like a night-raven in the house. 

I have watched and am become as a spar- 
row all alone on the house-top. 

All the day long my enemies reproached 



THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 653 

me : and they that praised me did swear 
against me. 

For I did eat ashes like bread, and mingled 
my drink with weeping. 

Because of thy anger and indignation for 
haying lifted me up thou hast thrown me 
down. 

My days have declined like a shadow, and 
I am withered like grass. 

But thou, 0 Lord, endurest forever : and 
thy memorial to all generations. 

Thou shalt arise and have mercy on Sion ; 
for it is time to have mercy on it, for the time 
is come. 

For the stones thereof have pleased thy 
servants : and they shall have pity on the 
earth thereof. 

And the gentiles shall fear thy name, O 
Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy 
glory. 

For the Lord hath built up Sion : and he 
shall be seen in his glory. 

He hath had regard to the prayer of the 
humble, and he hath not despised their peti- 
tion. 

Let these things be written unto another 
generation : and the people that shall be cre- 
ated shall praise the Lord : 



654 THE SEVEN PEXITENTLVL PS ALMS. 



Because lie hatli looked forth from his high 
sanctuary : from heaven the Lord hath looked 
upon the earth. 

That he might hear the groans of them 
that are in fetters : that he might release the 
children of the slain : 

That they may declare the name of the Lord 
in Sion : and his praise in Jerusalem. 

When the people assemble together, and 
kings to serve the Lord. 

He answered him in the way of his strength : 
Declare unto me the fewness of my days. 

Call me not away in the midst of my days : 
thy years are unto generation and genera- 
tion. 

In the beginning, OLord, thou foundest the 
earth : and the heavens are the works of thy 
hands. 

They shall perish but thou remainest : and 
all of them shall grow old like a garment : 

And as a vesture thou shalt change them, 
and they shall be changed. But tbou art 
always the self-same, and thy years shall not 
fail. * 

The children of thy servants shall continue : 
and their seed shall be directed forever. 
Glory be to the Father, etc. 



THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 655 



PSALM CXXIX. DE PBOFTJNDIS. 

An excellent model for sinners imploring 
the divine mercy. 

<\UT of the depths I have cried to thee, 0 
Y Lord : Lord, hear my voice. 

Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my 
supplication. 

If thou, 0 Lord, wilt mark iniquities ; Lord, 
who shall stand ? 

For with thee there is merciful forgiveness : 
and by reason of thy law I have waited for 
thee, 0 Lord. 

My soul hath relied on his word : my soul 
hath hoped in the Lord. 

From the morning watch even until night, 
let Israel hope in the Lord. 

Because with the Lord there is mercy : and 
with him plentiful redemption. 

And he shall redeem Israel from all his in- 
iquities. 

Glory be to the Father, etc. 

PSALM CXLII. DOMINE EXATJDI. 

1. David prayeth for favor in judgment ; 
3. represents his distress ; 7. he prayeth for 
grace ; 9. for deliverance ; 10. for sanctifica- 
tion ; 12. victory over his enemies. 



656 THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 

TJEAR, 0 Lord, my prayer ; give ear to my 
supplication in thy truth : hear me in 
thy justice. 

And enter not into judgment with thy ser- 
vant : for in thy sight no man living shall be 
justified. 

For the enemy hath persecuted my soul : 
he hath brought down my life to the 
earth. 

He hath made me to dwell in darkness as 
those that have been dead of old : and my 
spirit is in anguish within me : my heart 
within me is troubled. 

I remember the days of old, I meditated on 
all thy works : I meditated upon the works of 
thy hands. 

I stretched forth my hands to thee : my soul 
is as earth without water unto thee. 

Hear me speedily, 0 Lord : my spirit hath 
fainted away. 

Turn not away thy face from me, lest I be 
like unto them that go down into the pit. 

Cause me to hear thy mercy in the morning ; 
for in thee have I hoped. 

Make the way known to me wherein I 
should walk : for I have lifted up my soul to 
thee. 

Deliver me from my enemies, 0 Lord, to 



THE TE DEroi. 



657 



tliee have I fled : teach me to do thy will, for 
thou art my God. 

Thy good spirit shall lead me into the right 
land : for thy name's sake, 0 Lord, thou wilt 
quicken me in thy justice. 

Thou wilt bring my soul out of trouble : 
and in thy mercy thou wilt destroy my ene- 
mies. 

And thou wilt cut off all them that afflict 
my soul : for I am thy servant. 

Glory be to the Father, etc. 

Anth. Remember not, 0 Lord ! our offenses, 
nor those of our parent, and take not revenge 
of our sins. 

THE TE DEUM. 

A HYMN OF THANKSGIVING. 

HPE Deum laudamus : * te Dominum confite- 
mur. 

Te aeternuni Patrem, * omnis terra venera- 
tur. 

Tibi omnes angeli : * tibi cceli, et universae 
potestates : 

Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim * incessabili 
voce proclamant, 

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus * Dominus Deus 
Sabaoth. 

42 



653 



THE TE DETTM. 



Pleni sunt coeli et terra* rnajestatis gloriae 
tuae. 

Te gloriosus * Apostolorum chorus ; 

Te Prophetarum * laudabilis numerus ; 

Te Martyrum candidatus * laudat exercitus ; 

Te per orbem terrarum * sancta confitetur 
Ecclesia, 

Patrem * immensse rnajestatis ; 

Venerandum tuum verum * et unicum Fili- 
um, 

Sanctum quoque * Paraclitum Spiritum. 

Tu Rex * gloria? Christe ! 

Tu Patris * sempiternus es Filius. 

Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem,* 
non horruisti Virginis uteruni. 

Tu devicto mortis aculeo,* aperuisti creden- 
tibus regna ccelorum. 

Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes * in gloria Patris. 

Judex crederis * esse venturus. 

Te ergo qusesumus, famulis tuis subveni,* 
quos pretioso sanguine redemisti. 

iEterna fac * cum Sanctis tuis in gloria nu- 
merari. 

Salvum fac populum tuum, Domine ! * et 
benedic hereditati tuse. 

Et rege eos : * et extolle illos usque in aeter- 
num. 

Per smgulos dies, * benedicimus te. 



THE TE DEUM, 



659 



Et laudamus nomen tuum in saeculum, * et 
in saeculum sseculi. 

Dignare, Domine ! die isto * sine peccato 
nos custodire. 

Miserere nostri Domine ! * miserere nostri. 

Fiat misericordia tua, Domine ! super nos : * 
quemadmodum speravimus in te. 

In te, Domine ! speravi : * non conf undar in 
asternum. 

THE SAME IN ENGLISH. 

rPHEE, sovereign God ! we grateful praise, 



And greet thee, Lord ! in festive lays ; 
To thee, Great Sire ! earth's boundless frame 
With echoes sounds immortal fame : 
Lord God of hosts, the heavenly ) 



For thee vibrate the vaulted tow'rs. 



Cherubs and Seraphs throned on high 
Still holy, holy, holy cry. 
Both heaven and earth aloud display 
Thy beauty, grandeur, majesty ; 

Thy praises fill the Apostles' choir ; 

The Prophets in the song conspire. 

The crimsoned band in chorus shine, 
And vocal blood with music join : 
By these inspired with heavenly art, 
Thy Church maintains a second part ; 



powers 




660 



THE TE DEEM. 



And tunes her notes, 0 God ! for thee, 
Father of boundless majesty. 

The Son, co-partner of thy seat, 

And th' equal, endless Paraclete ; 

Thou King of glory ! Christ most high ! 

Thou co-eternal Deity ; 

Thou, who t' avert the world's dread doom, 
Didst dwell within a virgin's womb. 

The tyrant death before thee flew, 

And heaven, unbarred, her foldings drew. 

To guide the faithful in thy way, 

From (rod's right hand thy beams display ; 

Thou art to judge both quick and dead ; 

Spare us, for whom thy blood was shed. 

Oh ! grant us, with the saints above, 

To share thy everlasting love ; 

Save, Lord ! thy people, and enhance 

Thy grace on thy inheritance. 
Forever rule and guide their ways, 
Each day we'll chant aloud thy praise. 

Xo age shall fail t' extol thy name, 
Xo hour neglect thy lasting fame. 
Preserve us, Lord ! this day from ill, 
Have mercy, Lord ! have mercy still. 

As we have hoped, so crown our pain ; 

Let not our hope in thee be vain. 



Vtfftttt *x the (Stttting (dffkt. 



FOR SUNDAYS. 

TER noster, etc. Q UR Father, etc. 



r 



Ave Maria, etc. 



V. Dens ! in adju- 
• torium meum intende. 

B. Dornine ! ad ad- 
juvandum me festina. 

V. Gloria Patri, et 
Filio, et Spirit ui 
Sancto. 

B. Sicut erat in 
principio, et nunc, et 
semper, et in ssecula 
. soeculorum. A m e n, 
Alleluia. In Lent; 
Laus tibi, Domine ! 
Rex seternse gloriae. 



Hail Mary, etc. 
V. Incline unto 
my aid, 0 God ! 

B. 0 Lord ! make 
haste to help me. 

V. Glory be to the 
Father, and to the 
Son, and to the Holy 
Ghost. 

B. As it was in the 
beginning, is now, and 
ever shall be, world 
without end. Amen, 
Alleluia. In Le n t ; 
Praise be to thee, 0 
Lord ! king of eternal 
glory. 



PSALM CIX. 



TyXIT Dominus 
U Domino m e o : 
* sede a dextris meis ; my right hand : 



THE Lord said to my 
Lord, Sit thou at 



661 



662 



VESPERS. 



Donee ponam inim- 
icos tuos * scabellum 
pedum tuorum. 

Virgam virtiitis tuae 
einittet Dominus ex 
Sion : * dominare in 
medio inimicorum tuo- 
rum. 

Tecum principium 
in die virtutis tuae in 
splendoribus sancto- 
rum : * ex utero ante 
luciferum genui te. 

Juravit Dominus, et 
non poenitebit eum : 
*tu es Sacerdos in 
aeternum, secundum 
6 r d i n e m Melchi- 
sedech. 

Dominus a dextris 
tuis : * confregit, in 
die irse suaa, reges. 

Judicabit in nationi- 
bus ; implebit ruinas : 
* conquassabit c a p- 



Until I make thy 
enemies thy footstool. 

The Lord will send 
forth the scepter of 
thy power out of Sion : 
rule thou in the midst 
of thy enemies. 

With thee is the 
principality in the day 
of thy strength, in the 
brightness of the 
saints: from the 
womb, before the day 
star, I begot thee. 

The Lord hath 
sworn, and he will 
not repent : thou art 
a priest forever, ac- 
cording to the order 
of Melchisedech. 

The Lord at thy 
right hand hath 
broken kings in the 
day of his wrath. 

He shall judge 
among nations : he 
shall fill ruins, he 



"VESPERS. 



663 



ita in terra 
rum. 

De torrente in via 
bibet ; * propterea 
exalt abit caput. 



Gloria Patri, etc, 



multo- shall crush the heads 
in the land of many. 

He shall drink of 
the torrent in the 
way ; therefore shall 
he lift up the head. 
Glory be to the 



Father, etc. 



PSALM CX. 



nOXFITEBOR tibi, 
^ Domine, in toto 
corde meo, * in con- 
cilio justorum et con- 
gregatione. 

Magna opera Dom- 
ini : * exquisfta in 
omnes voluntates 
ejus. 

Confessio et magni- 
ficentia opus ejus ; * et 
justitia ejus manet in 
saeculum saeculi. 

Memoriam fecit 
mirabilium s u 6 r u m 
misericors et misera- 
tor Dominus : * es- 



T WILL praise thee, 
0 Lord, with my 
whole heart : in the 
council of the just, 
and in the congrega- 
tion. 

Great are the works 
of the Lord : sought 
out according to all 
his will. 

His work is praise 
and magnificence : and 
his justice continueth 
forever and ever. 

He hath made a re- 
membrance of his 
wonderful works, be- 
ing a merciful and 



664 



VESPERS. 



cam dedit timentibus 
se. 

Memor erit in saecu- 
lum testamenti sui : 
*virtutein 6 pern in 
suorum annnntiabit 
populo sno. 

0t det illis haeredi- 
tatem gentiuni ; * 
opera mannnni ejus 
Veritas et judicium. 

Fidelia omnia man- 
data ejus, confirmata 
in saeculurn saeculi ; 
* facta in veritate et 
aequitate. 

Redenrptionem misit 
popnlo sno : * nianda- 
vit in seternum testa- 
mentum snum. 

Sanctnm et tembile 
nomen ejus : * initinm 
sapientiae timor Dom- 
ini. 



gracions Lord: he 
hath given food to 
them that fear him. 

He will be mindfnl 
forever of his cove- 
nant : he will show 
forth to his people the 
power of his works. 

That he may give 
them the inheritance 
of the gentiles : the 
works of his hands 
are truth and judg- 
ment. 

All his command- 
ments are faithful, 
confirmed forever and 
ever, made in truth 
and equity. 

He hath sent re- 
demption to his peo- 
ple : he h a t h com- 
manded his covenant 
forever. 

Holy and terrible is 
his name ; the fear of 
the Lord is the begin- 
ning of wisdom. 



TESPEES. 



665 



Intellectus bonus 
omnibus facientibus 
eum : * laudatio ejus 
manet in saeculum 
saeculi. 

Gloria Patri, etc. 



A good understand- 
ing to all that do it : 
his praise continueth 
forever and ever. 



Glory, etc. 



PSALiI CXI. 



DEATUS vir qui 
" timet Dominum : 
* in mandatis ejus 
volet nimis. 

Potens in terra erit 
semen ejus : * genera- 
tio rectorum benedice- 
tur. 

Gloria et divrtiae in 
domo ejus : * et justi- 
tia ejus manet in sae- 
culum saeculi. 

Exortum est in ten- 
ebris lumen rectis : * 
raise ricors, et misera- 
tor, et justus. 



pLESSED is the 
U man that feareth 
the Lord : he shall de- 
light exceedingly in 
his commandments. 

His seed shall be 
mighty upon earth ; 
the generation of the 
righteous shall be 
blessed. 

Glory and wealth 
shall be in his house : 
and his justice re- 
maineth forever and 
ever. 

To the righteous a 
light is risen in dark- 
ness : he is merciful, 
and compassionate, 
and just. 



666 



VESPERS. 



Jucundus homo qui 
miseretur et com- 
modate disponet ser- 
inones suos in judicio : 
* quia in seter nnm 
non coniniovebitur. 



In niemoria aeterna 
erit justus : * ab audi- 
tione mala non time- 
bit. 

Paratuni cor ejus 
sperare in Domino ; 
connrniatuni est cor 
ejus ; * non coninio- 
vebitur donee despi- 
ciat ininiicos suos. 

Dispersit, dedit pau- 
peribus : justitia ejus 
manet in saeculumsae- 
culi : * cornu ejus ex- 
alt abitur in gloria. 

Peceator videbit, et 
irascetur : dentibus 
suis fremet et tabes - 
cet ; * desideriuni 



Acceptable is the 
man that stoweth 
mercy, and lendeth ; 
he shall order his 
words with j u d g- 
nient : because he 
shall not be moved for- 
ever. 

The just shall be in 
everlasting r e m e m- 
brance ; he shall not 
fear the evil hearing. 

His heart is ready 
to hope in the Lord ; 
his heart is strength- 
ened : he shall not be 
moved until he looks 
over his enemies. 

He hath distributed; 
he hath given to the 
poor : his justice re- 
maineth forever and 
ever : his horn shall 
be exalted in glory. 

The wicked shall 
see, and shall be an- 
gry, he shall gnash 
with his teeth and 



667 



peccatorum peri- pine away : the desire 
bit. of the wicked shall 

perish. 
Glory, etc. 



Gloria Patri, etc. 



PSALM CXII. 



I AUDATE, pueri ! 
^ Doininum : * lau- 
date nonien Domini. 

Sit nonien Domini 
benedictum, * ex hoc, 
nunc et usque in sae- 
culum. 

A solis ortu usque 
ad occasum, * lauda- 
bile nomen Domini. 



Excel sus super om- 
nes gentes Dominus, * 
et super ccelos gloria 
ejus. 

Quis sicut Dominus 
Deus noster, qui in 
altis habitat, * et hu- 
milia respicit in coslo 
et in terra ? 



D RAISE the Lord, ye 
■*■ children ! praise 
ye the name of the 
Lord. 

Blessed be the name 
of the Lord, from 
henceforth, now, and 
forever. 

From the rising of 
the sun, to the going 
down of the same, the 
name of the Lord is 
worthy of praise. 

The Lord is high 
above all nations ; and 
his glory above the 
heavens. 

Who is as the Lord 
our God, who dwell- 
eth on high, and look- 
eth down on the low 
things in heaven and 
in earth ? 



668 



VESPERS. 



Suscitans a terra 
Inopeni, * et de ster- 
core erigens pauper- 
em : 

Ut collocet eum cum 
principibus,* cum 
principibus p 6 p u 1 i 
sui. 

Qui habitare facit 
sterilem in domo, * 
matrem filiorum lae- 
tantem. 

Gloria Patri, etc. 

PSALM 

T AUDATE Domi- 
num, omnes gen- 
tes : laudate eum, om- 
nes populi. 

Quoniam confirma- 
ta est super nos mise- 
ricordia ejus : et Veri- 
tas Domini manet in 
aeternum. 

Gloria Patri, etc. 



Raising up the 
needy from the earth, 
lifting up the poor 
out of the dunghill. 

That he may place 
him with princes, 
with the princes of 
his people. 

Who maketh the 
barren woman to 
dwell in a house, the 
joyful mother of chil- 
dren. 

Glory, etc. 

cxvi. 

0 PRAISE the Lord, 
all ye nations : 
praise him, all ye peo- 
ple. 

For his mercy is 
confirmed upon us : 
and the truth of the 
Lord remaineth for- 
ever. 

Glory be to the Fa- 
ther, etc. 



VESPERS. 



669 



Ant. Nos qui vivi- Ant. But we that 
mus benedicamus Do- live bless the Lord. 



In Paschal time is said : 

Ant. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. 

THE LITTLE CHAPTEE. 

BENEDICTUS "D LESSED be the 

Deus, et Pater -P God and Father 

Domini nostri Jesu of our Lord Jesus 

Christi, Pater miseri- Christ, the Father of 

cordiarum, et Deus mercies, and the God 

t o t i u s consolationis, of all comfort, who 

qui consolatur nos in comforteth us in all 

omni tribuiatione nos- our tribulations. It. 

tra. B. Deo gratias. Thanks be to God. 



T UCIS Creator optime, 

Lucem dierum proferens ; 
Primordiis lucis novse, 
Mundi parans origin em. 

Qui mane junctum vesperi, 
Diem vocari pra3cipis ; 
Tetrum chaos illabitur ; 
Audi preces cum fletibus. 



mino. 



HYM1STUS. 



670 



YESPERS. 



Ne mens gravata crimine 
Vita? sit exul munere ; 
Dum nil perenne cogitat, 
Seseque culpis illigat. 

Coeleste pulset ostium ; 
Vitale tollat praBmium ; 
Vitenms omne noxium ; 
Purgemus omne pessimnm. 

Prsesta, Pater piissime ; 
Patrique compar Unice ; 
Cam Spiritu Paracleto, 
Regnans per omne speculum. Amen. 

V. Dirigatur, Domine, oratio mea. 
B. Sicut incensum in conspectu tuo. 

THE MAGNIFICAT, OK THE CANTICLE OF THE 
BLESSED VIRGIN, ST. LUKE I. 

MAGNIFICAT* ani- MY soul doth mag- 

™ ma mea Domi- nif y the Lord, 
num. 

Et exultavit Spiri- And my spirit hath 

tus meus * in Deo sal- rejoiced in God my Sa- 

utari meo. viour. 

Quia respexit hu- Because he hath re- 

militatem ancillae suae, garded the humility of 

* ecce enim ex hoc, his handmaid : for be- 



YESPEES. 



671 



beatam nie dicent om- 
nes generationes. • 

Quia fecit milii 
magna qui potens est ; 
* et sanctum nomen 
ejus. 

Et misericordia ejus 
a progenie in proge- 
nies, * timentibus eum. 

Fecit potentiam in 
brachio suo : * disper- 
sit superbos mente 
cordis sui. 

Deposuit, potentes 
de sede : * et exaltavit 
humiles. 

Esurientes implevit 
bonis : * et divites di- 
misit inanes. 



Suscepit Israel pue- 
rum suum ; * recorda- 
tus misericordise suae, 



bold from henceforth 
all generations shall 
call me blessed. 

For he that is 
mighty hath done 
great things to me : 
and holy is his name. 

And his mercy is 
from generation to 
generation to them 
that fear him. 

He hath showed 
might in his arm : he 
hath scattered the 
proud in the conceit 
of their heart. 

He hath put down 
the mighty from their 
seat ; and hath exalted 
the humble. 

He hath filled the 
hungry with good 
things ; and the rich 
he hath sent empty 
away. 

He hath received 
Israel his servant ; 
being mindful of his 
mercy, 



672 



VESPERS. 



Sicut locutus est ad As lie spoke to our 

patres nostros ; * Ab- fathers ; to Abraham 

raham et seraini ejus aud to his seed for- 

in saecula. ever 

Gloria Patri, etc. Glory, etc. 

[Then follows the prayer, which is different 
every Sunday.] 

V. Dominus vobis- V, The Lord be 

cum. with you. 

R. Et cum spiritu R. And with thy 

tuo. spirit. 

V. Benedicamus V. Let us bless the 

Domino. Lord. 

R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to 
God. 

V. Fidelium aninise, V. May the souls of 

per misericordiam Dei, the faithful, through 

requiescant in pace. the mercy of God, rest 
in peace. 

B. Amen. R. Amen. 

Pater noster, etc. Our Father, etc. 

[When Complin is not said immediately 
after Vespers, after the verse, Fidelium animae, 
etc. , May the souls, etc. , and, Our Father, is 
said.] 

V. Dominus det no- V- Our Lord grant 
bis suam pacem, us his peace ! 

R. Et vitam seter- R. And life everlast- 
nam. Amen. ing. Amen. 



VESPERS. 



673 



[Then is said one of the following anthems, 
according to the time.] 

THE ANTHEM, FROM THE FIRST SUNDAY OF 
ADVENT TELL THE PURIFICATION, IN- 
CLUSIVE. 

ALMA Redemptoris \ [OTHER of Jesus ! 

mater, quae pervia x ^ heaven's open 
coeli, gate, 

Porta manes, et Star of the sea, sup- 
stella maris, succiirre port the fallen state 
cadenti, 



Siirgere qui curat 
populo ; tu quae genu- 
lsti, 

Natura mirante, tu- 
um sanctum genito- 
rem, 

Virgo prius ac pos- 
terius : Gabrielis ab 
ore, 

Sumens illud Ave, 
peccatorum miserere. 



Of mortals ; thou 
whose womb thy Ma- 
ker bore ; 

And yet, strange 
thing, a Yirgin as be- 
fore ; 

Who didst, from 
Gabriel's hail, this 
news receiYe, 

Repenting sinners 
by thy prayers re- 
lieve. 



IN ADVENT. 

V. Angelus Domini V. The angel of the 
nuntiavit Mariae. Lord declared his 

message to Mary. 

43 



674 



VESPERS. 



B. Et concepit de B. And she con- 
Spiritu Sancto. ceived by the Holy 

Ghost. 



OEEMUS. 

pRATIAM tuam 
" quassumus, Donii- 
ne ! mentibus nostris 
infiinde ; ut qui, an- 
gelo nuntiante, Chris- 
ti, Fiiii tui incarnatio- 
nem cognovimns, per 
passioneni ejus et cru- 
ceni, ad resurrectionis 
gloriam perducamur. 
Per eundem Christum, 
Doininuni nostrum. B. 
Amen. 



LET US PBAY. 

pOUR forth, we be- 
* seech thee, 0 
Lord ! thy grace into 
our hearts, that we, 
to whom the incarna- 
tion of thy Son has 
been made known by 
the message of an an- 
gel, may, by his pas- 
sion and cross, be 
brought to the glory 
of his resurrection : 
through the same 
Christ, our Lord. B. 
Amen. 



AFTEH ADVENT. 

V. Post p a r t u m V. After child-birth 



virgo inviolata per- 
mansisti. 

B. Dei genitrix! in- 
tercede pro nobis. 



thou didst remain an 
inviolate virgin. 

B. Mother of God ! 
make intercession for 
us. 



VESPERS. 



675 



OEEMrS. 



LET TS PRAY. 



TiEUS ! qui salutis 
U aeternae beatae Ma- 
riae virginitate foecun- 
da hurtiano generi 
praemia praestitisti : 
tribue, quaesumus, ut 
ipsam pro nobis in- 
tercedes sentianrus, 
per quam meruimus 
Auctoreni vitas susci- 
pere Dominum nos- 
trum Jesum Chris- 
tum, filium tuum. B. 
Amen. 



/ \ GOD ! who by the 
^ fruitful virginity 
of the blessed virgin 
Mary, hast given to 
mankind the rewards 
of eternal salvation ; 
grant, we beseech 
thee, that we may be 
sensible of the bene- 
fits of her interces- 
sion, by whom we 
have received the 
Author of life, our 
Lord, Jesus Christ, 
thv Son. B. Amen. 



FRCttl THE PrTUFICATIOZS" TILL EASTER, 



A 



VE, Eegina 
rum ! 



ccelo- 



Domina ange- 

l 

salve, 



Ave, 
lorum ! 

Salve radix ! 
porta ! 

Ex qua mundo lux 
est orta. 



HAIL, Mary, queen 
of heavenly 
spheres ! 

Hail, whom the an- 
gelic host reveres ! 

Hail, fruitful root, 
hail, sacred gate, 

Whence the world's 
light derives its date. 



676 



TESPEKS. 



Gaude, virgo glori- 
osa ! 

Super omnes speci- 
osa. 

Tale, 0 valde, de- 
cora ! 

Et pro nobis Christ- 
um exora. 

V. Dignare me lau- 
dare te, virgo sacrata! 

i?. Da mihi Yirtu- 
tem contra hostes tucs. 

OEEiTCS. 

pONCEDE, miseri- 
^ cors Deus ! fragi- 
litati nostrge presi- 
dium ; ut qui sanctse 
Dei genetncis niemo- 
riam agimus, interces- 
sionis ejus auxilio a 
nostris imquitatibus 
resurgamus. Per 
eundem Christum D6- 
minum nostrum. R. 
Amen. 



0 glorious maid, 
with beautv blessed ! 

May joys eternal 
fill thy breast ! 

Thus crown'd with 
beauty and with joy, 

Thy prayers with 
Christ for us employ. 

V. Vouchsafe, 0 
sacred Yirgin ! to ac- 
cept my praises. 

B. Give me power 
against thy enemies. 

LET US PRAY. 

GRANT us, O mer- 
ciful God, strength 
against all our weak- 
ness ; that we, who 
celebrate the memory 
of the holy mother of 
God, may, by the help 
of her intercession, 
rise again from our in- 
iquities ; through the 
same Christ our Lord. 
R. Amen. 



VESPERS. 



677 



FROM EASTER " 

D EG IX A cceli ! lse- 
" tare, Alleluia ; 

Quia quem meruisti 
port are, Alleluia; 

Resurrexit, s i c u t 
dixit, Alleluia. 

Ora pro nobis Deum, 
Alleluia. 

V. Gaude et lsetare, 
Virgo Maria! Alleluia. 

JR. Quia surrexit 
Dominus vere, Alle- 
luia. 

OREMES. 

"TjEUS, qui, per re- 
*J surrectioneni Filii 
tui, Domini nostri, 
Jesu Chris ti, mundum 
laetificare dignatus es, 
praesta, .quaesunius, ut 
per ejus genitricem 
virginem Mariani per- 
petuae capiamus gau- 
dia vitae. Per eun- 
dem Christum, Domi- 



XTIL TRINITY. 

A QUEEN of heaven! 
^ rejoice, Alleluia ; 

For He whom thou 
didst deserve to bear, 
Alleluia ; 

Is risen again as he 
said, Alleluia. 

Pray for us to God, 
Alleluia. 

V. Rejoice and be 
glad, O Virgin Mary : 
Alleluia. 

B. Because our 
Lord is truly risen, 
Alleluia. 

LET ES PRAT. 

OGOD, who by the 
resurrection of thy 
Son, our Lord Jesus 
Christ, hast been 
pleased to fill the 
world with joy ; grant, 
we beseech thee, that 
by the Virgin Mary, 
his mother, we may 
receive the joys of 
eternal life : through 



678 



YESPEES. 



num nostrum. 
Amen. 



B. the same Christ, our 
Lord. B. Amen. 



FROM TRINITY SUNDAY UNTIL ADVENT. 



CALVE, regma, ma- 
^ ter misericordiae ! 
vita, dulcedo, et spes 
nostra, salve ! 

Ad te clamamus, 
exules filii Evae. Ad 
te suspiramus, gemen- 
tes et flentes, in hac 
lacrymarum valle. 

Eia ergo advocata 
nostra, illos tuos mis- 
ericordes oculos ad 
nos converte. 

Et Jesum benedic- 
tum fructum ventris 
tui nobis post hoc ex- 
ilium osfcende ; 

0- clemens ! 0 pia ! 
0 dulcis Virgo Maria ! 

V. Or a pro nobis, 
sancta Dei Genitrix ! 
B. Ut digni efficia- 



TJAIL, 0 Queen, 0 
" mother of mercy ! 
hail, our life, our 
comfort, and our hope ! 

We, the banished 
children of Eve, cry 
out unto thee. To thee 
we send up our sighs, 
groaning and weeping 
in this vale of tears. 

Come, then, our ad- 
vocate, and look upon 
us with those thy 
pitying eyes. 

And after this our 
banishment, show us 
Jesus, the blessed 
fruit of thy womb ; 

O merciful! 0 
pious ! O sweet Virgin 
Mary ! 

V. Pray for us, 0 
holy mother of God ! 

B. That we may be 



VESPERS. 



679 



mur promissionibus 
Chris ti. 

OREMTJS. 

OMNIPOTENS, 
sempiterne Deus, 
qui gloriosse Virginis 
Matris Manse corpus 
et animam, ut dignum 
Filii tui habitaculum 
effici mereretur, Spi- 
ritu Saucto co-operan- 
te, praeparasti ; da, 
ut cujus comrnemora- 
tione, lsetarnur ejus 
pia intercessione ab 
instantibus mails, et a 
morte perpetua liber- 
emur. Per eundem 
Christum, Dominuni 
nostrum, 2?. Amen. 



A 1 



made worthy of the 
promises of Christ. 

LET US PRAY. 

LMIGHTT and 

eternal God, who, 
bv the co-operation of 
the Holy Ghost, didst 
prepare the body and 
soul of the glorious 
virgin mother, Mary, 
that she might become 
a worthy habitation 
for thy Son ; grant, 
that as with joy we 
celebrate her memory, 
so by her pious inter- 
cession we may be de- 
livered from present 
evils and eternal death 
through the same 
Christ, our Lord. B. 
Amen. 



ON THE FEASTS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN 
MARY. 

The Hymn. 
{ VE maris stella, 
Dei mater alma. 



A 1 



VESPERS. 

At que semper Virgo, 
Felix cceli porta. 

Sumens illud Ave, 
Gabrielis ore, 
Funda nos in pace, 
Mutans Hevae noinen. 

Solve vincla reis, 
Prof er lumen caecis, 
Mala nostra pelle, 
Bona cuncta posce. 

Monstra te esse matrem, 
Sumat per te preces, 
Qui pro nobis natus 
Tulit esse tuns. 

Virgo singularis, 
Inter omnes mitis, 
Xos culpis solutos, 
Mites fac, et castos. 

Vitam praesta puram, 
Iter para tutum, 
Ut videntes Jesum, 
Semper collaetemur. 

Sit laus Deo Patri, 
Summo Christo decus, 



VESPERS. 



081 



Spiritui Sancto, 

Tribns honor unus. Amen. 

A FAVORITE HYMN FOR CHRISTMASTTDE. 



Yenite, venite in Bethlehem : 

Natum videte 

Eegem Angelorum : 
Yenite adoremus, Yenite adorenius, Yenite 
adoremus, Dominum. 

Deum de Deo, 

Lumen de luinine, 
Gestant puellae viscera : 

Deum verum, 

Genitum non factum : 
Yenite, etc. 

Cantet nunc Io, 
-Chorus Angelorum : 
Cantet nunc aula ccelestium. 
Gloria 

In excelsis Deo : 
Yenite, etc. 



Adeste Fideles. 




DESTE fideles, 
■ Lseti triumphant es, 



682 



VESPERS. 



Ergo qui natus est 

Die hodierna, 
Jesu tibi sit gloria : 

Patris aeterni 

Yerbuni caro factum : 
Venite adoremus, Tenite adoreruus, Venite 
adoreruus, Dominuru. 

THE HY^IZST VENI, CREATOR SPTRITES. 

TTENI, Creator Spirit us ! 
" Mentes tuoruni visita ; 
Imple superna gratia, 
Quae tu creasti, pectora. 

Qui diceris Paraclitus ; 
Altlssimi donum Dei, 
Fons vivus, ignis, caritas, 
Et spiritalis unctio. 

Tu septiforniis munere, 
Digitus Paternae dextcrae ; 
Tu rite promissum Patris, 
Serinone ditans guttura. 

Accende lumen sensibus ; 
Infunde anioreni cordibus ; 
Infirma nostri corporis 
Virtute firmans perpeti. 



YESPERS. 

Hostem repellas longius, 
Pacemque dones protinus 
Ductore sic te proevio 
Vitemus omne noxium. 

Per te sciamus da Patrem 
Noscamus atque Filium ; 
Teque utriusque Spiritum 
Credamus omni tempore. 

Deo Patri sit gloria 
Et Filio, qui a raortuis 
Surrexit, ac Paraclito 
In saeculorum ssecula. Amen. 



^m&itttou 0f tlx* %Um& 

T\7HAT we call tlie Benediction, is a devo- 
" * tion practiced by the Church, in order to 
give adoration, praise, and blessing, or Bene- 
diction to God, for his infinite goodness and 
love, testified to ns in the institution of the 
Blessed Sacrament ; and to receive, at the 
same time, the benediction or blessing of our 
Lord, there present. 

When the Blessed Sacrament is taken out 
of the tabernacle, the Choir sings the follow- 
ing hymn, the people remaining all the while 
on their knees, in prayer and adoration : 

HYMN. 

(0 Salutaris Hostia.) 

OSALUTARIS Hos- A SALUTARY Sacri- 
tia, U fice ! 

Quae coeli pandis os- Whose death has 

tium : opened Paradise : 

Bella premunt hos- By hostile war op- 

tilia : pressed, afraid, 

Da robur fer auxil- To thee we look for 
ium : strength and aid. 

684 



THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. 685 

Uni trinoque Domino, Now to the triune God 
in heaven 

Sit sempiterna gloria : Be everlasting glory 
given ; 

Qui vitam sine ternii- Where life eternal in 

no, his hand 

Nobis donet in patria. Invites us to our 
Fatherland. 

Sometimes, also, other anthems are here 
sung, or the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, 
during which time you can make use of that 
Litany, or of any other favorite form of prayer. 
Last of all is sung the following 

HYMN. 

Tantum Ergo Sacramentum. 

TANTUM ergo sa- FvOWX in adoration 
J- cramentum, ^ falling, 

Veneremur cernui ; Lo ! the Sacred Host 
we hail ; 

Et antiquum docu- Lo ! o'er ancient forms 

mentum, departing, 
Novo cedat ritui ; Newer rights of grace 
prevail ; 

Praestet fides supple- Faith for all defects 

mentum, supplying, 
Sensuum defectui. Where the feeble 
senses fail. 



688 THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. 

Genitori, Genitoque, 



Laus et jubilatio, 

Salus, honor, virtus 

quoque, 
Sit et benedictio : 

Procedenti a b utro- 
que, 

Cornpar sit laudatio. 
Amen. 

Y. Panem de coelo 
praestitisti eis. 

R. 0 m n e deled a - 
mentum in se haben- 
tern. 



To the everlasting 

Father, 
And the Son who 

reigns on high, 
With the Holy Ghost 

proceeding 
Forth from each eter- 
nally, 
Be salvation, honor, 

blessing, 
Might and endless 
majesty. Amen, 

Y. Thou hast given 
them bread from 
heaven. 

R. Rep! e n ished w ith 
all sweetness and de- 
light. 



PRAYER. 



DEUS. qui nobis, 
sub sacramento 
mirabili, passionis 
tuae memoriam re- 
liquisti : t r i b u e , 
quaesunius, ita nos" 



o 



GOD, who hast 



wonderful Sacra- 
ment a perpetual 
memorial of thy 
passion : grant us, 



THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. 68? 

corporis et. sangui- we beseech thee, 
nis tui sacra mys- so to reverence the 
teria venerari, ut sacred mysteries of 
redemptionis tui thy Body and 
fructum in nobis Blood, that we 
jugiter sentiamus. may continually 
Qui viyis et regnas find in our souls 
in saecula s se c u - the fruit o f thy 
lorum. Amen. Eedemption: Thou 
who livest and 
r e i g n e s t world 
without end. 
Amen. 

After the priest lias sung this prayer, the 
white vail is laid over his shoulders, and he 
then mounts the steps of the altar, and tak- 
ing in his hands the monstrance which con- 
tains the Blessed Sacrament, gives the 
Benediction by making with it over the Con- 
gregation the sign of the cross. At this mo- 
ment kneel more profoundly than before, to 
receive" this divine blessing of your Saviour, 
and say : 

OMY God, I am sorry — I am sorry 
for my sins : forgive me them, and 
give me my part in this heavenly bless- 



683 



THE BLESSED SACKAMENT. 



ing ! I love thee, I will love thee al- 
ways, and seek to please thee in eyery 
thought, in every word, and every 
action of my life. ^ In the name of 
the Father and of the Son, and of the 
Holy Ghost. Amen. 



AT THE BENEDICTION IS SOMETIMES SUNG- 
THE FOLLOWING PBOSE. 



A YE verum corpus 
natum de Maria 
Virgine. 

Yere passum immo- 
latum in cruce pro 
liomine. 

Cujus latus perfora- 
tum, unda fluxit et 
sanguine. 

Este nobis praegus- 
tatum mortis in exa- 
mine. 

O clemens ! 0 pie ! 
0 Jesu, Fili Maria? ! 
Amen. 



TT AIL, true body, 
■1* born of the Vir- 
gin Mary. 

Which truly suf- 
fered and was sacri- 
ficed on the cross for 
mankind, 

From whose side 
being pierced, issued 
water and blood. 

Be to us a comfort 
at the hour of death. 

O merciful! 0 
good ! 0 Jesus, Son 
of Mary ! Amen. 



THE 

EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



First Sunday of Advent. 

Epist. Rom. xiii. 11-14. — Brethren, know- 
ing the time, that it is now the hour for us to 
rise from sleep ; for now our salvation is 
nearer than when we believed. The night is 
passed, and the day is at hand ; let us there- 
fore cast off the works of darkness, and put on 
the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as 
in the day ; not in rioting and drunkenness, not 
in chambering and impurities, not in conten- 
tion and strife ; but put ye on the Lord Jesus 
Christ. 

Gosp. Lukexxi. 25-33. — At that time Jesus 
said to his disciples : There shall be signs in 
the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars ; 
and upon the earth distress of nations, by rea- 
son of the confusion of the roaring of the sea 
and of the waves, men withering away for 
fear and expectation of what shall come upon 
them. For the powers of heaven shall be 
moved ; and then they shall see the Son of 
man coming in a cloud with great power and 
majesty. But when these things begin to 
come to pass, look up and lift up your heads, 
because your redemption is at hand. And he 
spoke to them a similitude : See the fig-tree, 
and all the trees ; when they now shoot forth 
1 



2 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



their fruit, you know that summer is nigh ; so 
you also, when you shall see these things 
come to pass, know that the kingdom of God 
is at hand. Amen I say to you, this genera- 
tion shall not pass away till all things be ful- 
filled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but 
my word shall not pass away. 

Second Sunday of Advent. 

Epist. Rom. xt. 4-13. — Brethren, what 
things soever were written, were written for 
our learning, that, through patience and the 
comfort of the Scriptures, we might have 
hope. Now the God of patience and of com- 
fort grant you to be of one mind one toward 
another, according to Jesus Christ ; that with 
one mind, and with one mouth, you may glo- 
rify God and the Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ. Wherefore receive one another, as 
Christ also hath received you unto the honor 
of God. For I say that Christ J esus was min- 
ister of the circumcision for the truth of God, 
to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. 
But that the Gentiles are to glorify God for 
his mercy, as it is written : Therefore will I 
confess to thee, 0 Lord, among the Gentiles, 
and will sing to thy name. And again he 
saith : Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. 
And again : Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles ; 
and magnify him, all ye people. And again, 
Isaias saith : There shall be a root of Jesse ; 
and he that shall rise up to rule the Gentiles, 
in him the Gentiles shall hope. Now the God 
of hope fill you with all joy and peace in be- 



THERD SUNDAY OF ADVENT. 3 

lieving ; that you may abound in hope, and 
in the power of the Holy Ghost. 

Gosp. Matt. xi. 2-10. — At that time, when 
John had heard in prison the works of Christ, 
sending two of his disciples, he said to him : 
Art thou he that art to come, or do Ave look 
for another '? And Jesus making answer, said 
to them, Go and relate to John what you have 
heard and seen. The blind see, the lame 
walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, 
the dead rise again, the poor have the gospel 
preached to them ; and blessed is he that shall 
not be scandalized in me. And when they 
went their way, Jesus began to say to the 
multitudes concerning John, What went you 
out into the desert to see ? A reed shaken with 
the wind ? But what went you out to see ? A 
man clothed in soft garments ? Behold they 
that are clothed in soft garments are in the 
houses of kings. But what went you out to 
see ? A prophet ? Yea I tell you, and more 
than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is 
written, Behold I send my angel before thy 
face, who shall prepare thy way before thee. 

Third Sunday of Advent. 

Epist. Philip, iv. 4-7. — Brethren, rejoice in 
the Lord always : again I say, rejoice. Let 
your modesty be known to all men. The Lord 
is nigh. Be nothing solicitous ; but in every- 
thing, by prayer and supplication and thanks- 
giving, let your petitions be made known to 
God. And the peace of God, which surpasseth 
all understanding, keep your hearts and minds 
in Christ Jesus our Lord. * 



4 EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 

Gosp. John i. 19-28. — At that time the Jews 
sent from Jerusalem priests and Levites to 
John to ask him, Who art thou ? And he con- 
fessed, and did not deny ; and he confessed, I 
am not the Christ. And they asked him, 
What then ? Art thou Elias ? And he said, I 
am not. Art thou the prophet ? And he an- 
swered, No. They said therefore unto him, 
Who art thou ? that we may give an answer 
to them that sent us ? what sayest thou of 
thyself ? He said, I am the voice of one cry- 
ing in the wilderness, Make straight the way 
of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaias. And 
they that were sent were of the Pharisees. 
And they asked him, and said to him, Why 
then dost thou baptize, if thou be not Christ, 
nor Elias, nor the Prophet ? John answered 
them, saying, I baptize with water ; but there 
hath stood one in the midst of you, whom you 
know not ; the same is he that shalL come after 
me, who is preferred before me, the latchet of 
whose shoe I am not worthy to loose. These 
things were done in Bethania beyond the Jor- 
dan, where John was baptizing. 

Fourth Sunday of Advent. 

Epist. 1 Cor. iv. 1-5. — Brethren, let a man 
so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, 
and the dispensers of the mysteries of God. 
Here now it is required among the dispensers, 
that a man be found faithful. But to me, it 
is a very small thing to be judged by you, or 
by man's day: but neither do I judge my own 
self. For I am not conscious to myself of 



CHRISTMAS DAY. 



5 



anything, yet am I not hereby justified ; but 
he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore 
judge not before the time ; who both will 
bring to light the hidden things of darkness, 
and will make manifest the counsels of the 
hearts : and then shall every man have praise 
from God. 

Gosp. Luke iii. 1-6. — In the fifteenth year 
of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate 
being governor of Judea, and Herod being te- 
trarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother te- 
trarch of Iturea and the country of Trachon- 
itis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilina, under 
the high priests Annas and Caiphas ; the 
word of the Lord came to John the son of 
Zachary in the desert. And he came into all 
the country about the Jordan, preaching the 
baptism of penance for the remission of sins ; 
as it is written in the book of the sayings of 
Isaias the prophet : A voice of one crying in 
the wilderness : Prepare ye the way of the 
Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley 
shall be filled ; and every mountain and hill 
shall be brought low : the crooked shall be 
made straight, and the rough ways plain : and 
ail flesh shall see the salvation of God. 

The Nativity of Our Lord, or Christmas, 

FIRST, OR MIDNIGHT MASS. 

Epist. Titus ii. 11-15.— Dearly beloved, the 
grace of God our Saviour hath appeared to all 
men, instructing us, that denying ungodliness 
and worldly desires, we should live soberly, 



6 



EPISTLES AJsD GOSPELS. 



and justly, and godly in this world, looking 
for the blessed hope and coming of the glory 
of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, 
who gave himself for us, that he might redeem 
us from all iniquity, and might cleanse to 
himself a people acceptable, a pursuer of good 
works. These things speak and exhort : in 
Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Gosp. Luke ii. 1-14. — At that time there 
went forth a decree from Caesar Augustus, 
that the whole world should be enrolled. 
This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus 
the governor of Syria. And all went to be 
enrolled, every one into his own city. And 
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the 
city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of 
David, which is called Bethlehem, because he 
was of the house and family of David, to be 
enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who 
was with child. And it came to pass, that 
when they were there, her days were accom- 
plished, that she should be delivered. And 
she brought forth her first-born son, and wrap- 
ped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid 
him in a manger, because there was no room 
for them in the inn. And there were in the 
same country shepherds watching, and keep- 
ing the night-watches over their nock. And 
behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, 
and the brightness of God shone round them ; 
and they feared with a great fear. And the 
angel said to them : Fear not ; for behold I 
bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall 
be to all the people ; for this day is born to 
you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the 



CHRISTMAS DAY. 



7 



city of David. And this shall be a sign unto 
you : You shall find the infant wrapped in 
swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. And 
suddenly there was with the angel a multi- 
tude of the heavenly army, praising God, and 
saying : Glory to God in the highest, and on 
earth peace to men of good will. 

SECOND MASS, AT BREAK OF DAY. 

Epist. Titus iii. 4-7. — Dearly beloved, the 
goodness and kindness of God our Saviour hath 
appeared : not by the works of justice which 
we have done, but according to his mercy he 
saved us, by the laver of regeneration, and 
renovation of the Holy Ghost, whom he hath 
poured forth upon us abundantly through 
Jesus Christ our Saviour : that, being justified 
by his grace, we may be heirs according to 
hope of life everlasting : in Christ Jesus our 
Lord. 

Gosp. Luke ii. 15-20. — At that time the 
shepherds said one to another, Let us go over 
to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is 
come to pass, which the Lord hath showed to 
us. And they came with haste ; and they 
found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying 
in a manger. And seeing, they understood of 
the word that had been spoken to them con- 
cerning- this child. And all that heard won- 
dered ; and at those things that were told 
them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all 
these words, pondering them in her heart. 
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and 
praising God, for all the things they had heard 
and seen as it was told unto them/ 



8 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



THIRD MASS, ON CHRISTMAS DAY. 

Epist. Heb. i. 1-12.— God, who diversely 
and many ways, spake in times past to the 
fathers by the prophets, last of all, in these 
days hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he 
hath appointed heir of all things, by whom 
also he made the world. Who being the 
brightness of his glory, and the figure of his 
substance, and upholding all things by the 
word of his power, making purgation of sins, 
sitteth on the right hand of the Majesty on 
high ; being made so much better than the 
angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent 
name than they. For to which of the angels 
hath he said at any time, Thou art my son, 
to-day have I begotten thee ? And again, I 
will be to him a father, and he shall be to me 
a son ? And again, when he bringeth in the 
first-begotten into the world, he saith, And 
let all the angels of God adore him. And to 
the angels indeed he saith, He that maketh 
his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of 
fire. But to the Son : Thy throne, O God, is 
forever and ever ; a scepter of justice is the 
scepter of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved 
justice, and hated iniquity ; therefore God, 
thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of 
gladness above thy fellows. And, Thou in 
the beginning, O Lord, didst found the earth ; 
and the works of thy hands are the heavens. 
They shall perish, but thou shalt continue ; 
and they shall all grow old as a garment ; and 
as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they 



SUNDAY WITHIN THE OCTAYE. 9 

shall be changed ; but thou art the self -same, 
and thy years shall not fail. 

Gosp. John i. 1-14. —In the beginning was 
the Word, and the Word was with God, and 
the Word was God. The same was in the 
beginning with God. All things were made 
by him ; and without him was made nothing 
that was made. In him was life, and the life 
was the light of men ; and the light shineth 
in darkness, and the darkness did not compre- 
hend it. There was a man sent from God 
whose name was John. This man came for a 
witness, to bear witness of the light, that all 
men might believe through him. He was not 
the light, but was to bear witness of the light. 
That was the true light, which enlighteneth 
every man that cometh into this world. He 
was in the world, and the world was made by 
him, and the world knew him not. He came 
unto his own, and his own received him not. 
But as many as received him, to them he gave 
power to be made the sons of God, to them 
that believe in his name. Who are born, not of 
blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the 
will of man, but of God. And the Word 
was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and 
we saw his glory, the glory as of the only- 
begotten of the Father), full of grace and 
truth. - 

Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity, 

Epist. Gal. iv. 1-7.— Brethren, as long as 
the heir is a child, he difTereth nothing from a 
servant, though he be lord of all : but is under 
tutors and governors until the time appointed 



10 EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



by the father : so we also, when we were chil- 
dren, were serving under the elements of the 
world. But when the fullness of the time was 
come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, 
made under the law : that he might redeem 
them who were under the law; that we might 
receive the adoption of sons. And because 
you are sons, God hath sent the spirit of his 
Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 
Therefore now he is not a servant, but a son ; 
and if a son, an heir also through God. 

Gosp. Luke ii. 33-40— At that time, Joseph 
and Mary the mother of Jesus were wondering 
at those things which were spoken concerning 
him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to 
Mary his mother : Behold, this child is set for 
the fall, and for the resurrection of many in 
Israel, and for a sign which shall be contra- 
dicted: and thy own soul a sword shall pierce, 
that out of many hearts thoughts may be re- 
vealed. And there was one Anna, a prophet- 
ess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of 
Aser : she was far advanced in years, and had 
lived with her husband seven years from her 
virginity. And she was a widow until four- 
score and four years ; who departed not from 
the temple, by fastings and prayers serving 
night and day. Now she at the same hour 
coming in, confessed to the Lord ; and spoke 
of him to all that looked for the redemption of 
Israel. And after they had performed all 
things according to the law of the Lord, they 
returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth. 
And the child grew and waxed strong, full of 
wisdom : and the grace of God was in him. 



THE EPIPHANY. 



11 



The Circumcision of Our Lord, and Octave of 
the Nativity. 

Epist. Titus ii. 11-15. — (As in first Mass at 
Christmas, p. 5.) 

Gosp. Luke ii. 21. — At that time, after eight 
days were accomplished that the child should 
be circumcised, his name was called Jesus, 
which was called by the angel before he was 
conceived in the womb. 

The Epiphany of Our Lord. 

Less. Isaiah lx. 1-6. — Arise, be enlightened, 
O Jerusalem ; for thy light is come, and the 
glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For be- 
hold, darkness shall cover the earth, and a 
mist the people ; but the Lord shall arise upon 
thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 
And the Gentiles shall walk in thy light, and 
kings in the brightness of thy rising. Lift up 
thy eyes round about, and see ; all these are 
gathered together, they are come to thee : thy 
sons shall come from afar, and thy daughters 
shall rise up at thy side. Then shalt thou 
see, and abound, and thy heart shall wonder 
and be enlarged, when the multitude of the 
sea shall be converted to thee, the strength of 
the Gentiles shall come to thee. The multi- 
tude of camels shall cover thee, the dromeda- 
ries of Madian and Epha ; all they from Saba 
shall come, bringing gold and frankincense, 
and showing forth praise to the Lord. 

Gosp. Matt. ii. 1-12.— When Jesus was 



12 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of 
king Herod, behold there came wise men from 
the East to Jerusalem, saving, Where is he 
that is born King of the Jews ? for we have 
seen his star in the East, and are come to 
adore him. And king Herod hearing this, 
was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 
And assembling together all the chief priests 
and the scribes of the people, he inquired of 
them where Christ should be born. But they 
said to him : In Bethlehem of Juda ; for so it 
is written by the prophet : And thou, Bethle- 
hem, the land of Juda, art not the least among 
the princes of Juda ; for out of thee shall 
come forth the ruler that shall rule my people 
Israel. Then Herod, privately calling the 
wise men, learned diligently of them the time 
of the star which appeared to them; and send- 
ing them into Bethlehem, said, Go and dili- 
gently inquire after the child, and when you 
have found him, bring me word again, that I 
also may come and adore him. Who having 
heard the king, went their way ; and behold, 
the star which they had seen in the "East went 
before them, until it came and stood over 
where the child was. And seeing the star, 
they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And 
entering into the house, they found the child 
with Mary his mother, and falling down, they 
adored him, And opening their treasures, 
they ottered him gifts ; gold, frankincense, 
and myrrh. And having received an answer 
in sleep that they should not return to Herod, 
they went back another way into their own 
country. 



SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 13 



Sunday after Epiphany. 

Epist. Rom. xii. 1-5. — Brethren, I beseech 
you by the mercy of God, that you present 
| your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing 
unto God, your reasonable service. And be 
not conformed to this world ; but be reformed 
in the newness of your mind : that you may 
prove what is the good, and the acceptable, 
and the perfect will of God. For I say, by 
the grace that is given me to all that are 
among you, not to be more wise than it beho- 
veth to be wise, but to be wise unto sobriety : 
and according as God hath divided to every 
one the measure of faith. For as in one body 
we have many members, but all the members 
have not the same office : so we, being many, 
are one body in Christ, and every one mem- 
bers one of another in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Gosp. Luke ii. 42-52. — And when Jesus 
was twelve years old, they going up into Je- 
rusalem according to the custom of the feast 
(* v. 43), and having fulfilled the days, when 
they returned, the child Jesus remained in 
Jerusalem ; and his parents knew it not. And 
thinking that he was in the company, they 
! came a day's journey, and sought him among 
! their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And not 
finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, 
seeking him. And it came to pass, that after 
three days they found him in the temple, sit- 
ting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, 
and asking them questions. And all that 
heard him were astonished at his wisdom and 



14 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



his answers. And seeing him, they wonaered. 
And his mother said to him, Son, why hast 
thou done so to us? behold, thy father* and I 
haye sought thee sorrowing. And he said to 
them, How is it that you sought me ? did you 
not know that I must be about my Father's 
business ? And they understood not the word 
that he spoke unto ihein. And he went down 
with them, and came to Nazareth ; and was 
subject to theni.* And his mother kept all 
these words in her heart. And Jesus ad- 
vanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with 
God and men. 

Second Sunday after Epiphany. 

(feast of the holy name OF JESUS.) 

Less. Acts iy. 8-12. — In those days, Peter, 
filled with the Holy Ghost, said: Ye princes of 
the people and ancients, hear : If we this day 
are examined concerning the good deed done to 
the infirm man, by what means he hath been 
made whole, be it known to you all, and to all 
the people of Israel, that by the name of our 
Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye cruci- 
fied, whom God hath raised from the dead, 
eyen by him this man standeth here before 
you whole. This is the stone which was re- 
jected by you the builders ; which is become 
the head of" the corner: neither is there salva- 
tion in any other. For there is no other name 
under heayen given to men, whereby we must 
be saved. 

Gosp. Luke ii. 21. — (As on Circumcision, 

P . no 



second sunday after epiphany. 15 

Epist. for Second Sunday after Epiph- 
any. Rom. xii. 6-16. — Brethren, having dif- 
ferent gifts, according to the grace that is 
given ns : either prophecy, to be used accord- 
ing to the rule of faith ; or ministry, in min- 
istering ; or he that teacheth, in doctrine ; he 
that exhorteth, in exhorting ; he that giveth, 
with simplicity ; he that ruleth, with careful- 
ness ; he that showeth mercy, with cheerful- 
ness. Let love be without dissimulation. 
Hating that which is evil, cleaving to that 
which is good. Loving one another with the 
charity of brotherhood ; with honor prevent- 
ing one another. In carefulness not slothful : 
in spirit fervent : serving the Lord : rejoicing 
in hope : patient in tribulation : instant in 
prayer : communicating to the necessities of 
the saints : pursuing hospitality. Bless them 
that persecute you : bless, and curse not. Re- 
joice with them that rejoice ; weep with them 
that weep. Being of one mind one toward 
another ; not minding high things, but con- 
senting to the humble. 

Gosp. for Second Sunday after Epiph. 
John ii. 1-11. — At that time, there was a mar- 
riage in Cana of Galilee ; and the mother of 
Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited, 
and his disciples to the marriage. And the 
wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to 
him, They have no wine. And Jesus saith to 
her, Woman, what is it to me and to thee ? my 
hour is not yet come. His mother saith to the 
waiters, Whatsoever he shall say to you, do 
ye. Now there was set there six water-pots 
of stone, according to the manner of the puri- 



16 



EPISTLES AXD GOSPELS, 



tying of the Jews., containing two or three 
mesaores apiece. Jesus saith to them, Fill the 
water-pots with water. And they filled them up 
to the brim. And Jesus saith to them. Draw 
out now, and carry to the chief steward of the 
feast : and they carried it. And when the 
chief steward had tasted the water made wine, 
and knew not whence it was, but the waiters 
knew who had drawn the water : the chief 
steward calleth the bridegroom, and saith to 
him. Every man at first setteth forth good 
wine, and when men have well drank, then 
that which is worse : but thou hast kept the 
good wine until now. This beginning of 
miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and 
manifested his glory ; and his disciples be- 
lieved in him. 

Third Sunday after Epiphany, 

Epist. Rom. xii. 16-21. — Brethren, be not 
wise in your own conceits. To no man ren- 
dering evil for evil : providing good things 
not only in the sight of God, but also in the 
sight of all men. " If it be possible, as much 
as is in you. having peace with all men ; not 
revenging yourselves, my dearly beloved: but 
give place unto wrath, for it is written. Re- 
venge is mine ; I will repay, saith the Lord. 
But if thy enemy be hungry, give him to 
eat ; if he thirst, give him to drink : for doing 
this, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his 
head. Be not overcome by evil, but overcome 
evil by good. 

Gtosp. Matt. viii. 1-13.— At that time 
when Jesus was come down from the moun- 



THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 17 



tain, great multitudes followed him ; and be- 
hold, a leper came and adored him, saying, 
Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 
And Jesus stretching forth his hand, touched 
him, saying, I will ; be thou made clean : and 
forthwith his leprosy was cleansed. And 
Jesus saith to him, See thou tell no man : but 
go, show thyself to the priest, and offer the 
gift which Moses commanded, for a testimony 
unto them (* v. 5). And when he had entered 
into Capharnaum, there came to him a cen- 
turion, beseeching him, and saying, Lord, my 
servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, and is 
grievously tormented. And Jesus saith to him, 
I will come and heal him. And the centurion 
making . answer, said, Lord, I am not worthy 
that thou shouldst enter under my roof ; but 
only say the word and my servant shall be 
healed. For I also am a man subject to au- 
thority, having under me soldiers ; and I say 
to this man, Go and he goeth ; and to another, 
Come, and he cometh : and to my servant, Do 
this, and he doeth it. And Jesus hearing this, 
marveled ; and said to them that followed 
him, Amen I say to you, I have not found so 
great faith in Israel. And I say to you that 
many shall come from the east and the west, 
and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and 
Jacob .in the kingdom of heaven ; but the 
children of the kingdom shall be cast into 
the exterior darkness ; there shall be weep- 
ing and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said 
to the centurion, Go, and as thou hast believed, 
so be it done to thee ; and the servant was 
healed at the same hour. 



2 



IS 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



Fourth Sunday after Epiphany. 

Epist. Rom. xiii. 8-18. — Brethren, owe no 
man anything, but to love one another ; for 
he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the 
law. For thou shalt not commit adultery ; 
thou shalt not kill ; thou shalt not steal ; 
thou shalt not bear false witness ; thou shalt 
not covet ; and if there be any other com- 
mandment, it is comprised in this word, Thou 
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The love 
of our neighbor worketh no evil. Love, 
therefore, is the fulfilling of the law. 

GrOSP. Matt. viii. 23-27. — At that time, when 
J esus entered into the boat, his disciples fol- 
lowed him. And behold, a great tempest 
arose in the sea, so that the boat was covered 
with waves ; but he was asleep. And they 
came to him and awaked him, saying, Lord, 
save us, we perish. And Jesus saith to them, 
Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? 
Then rising up, he commanded the winds 
and the sea, and there came a great calm. 
But the men wondered, saying, What manner 
of man is this, for the winds and the sea obey 
him? 

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany. 

Epist. Col. iii. 12-17. — Brethren, put ye on, 
as the elect of God, holy and beloved, the 
bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, mod- 
esty, patience ; bearing with one another, and 
forgiving one another, if any have a com- 
plaint against another ; even as the Lord hath 



FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 19 

forgiven you, so you also. But above all 
these things, have charity, which is the bond 
of perfection : and let the peace of Christ re- 
joice in your hearts, wherein also you are 
called in one body ; and be ye thankful. Let 
the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, 
in all wisdom ; teaching and admonishing one 
another, in psalms, hymns, and spiritual can- 
ticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God. 
All whatsoever you do in word or in work, 
all things do ye in the name of the Lord 
Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the 
Father through J esus Christ our Lord. 

Gosp. Matt, xiii. 24-30.— At that time, 
Jesus spoke this parable to the multitudes : 
The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man 
that sowed good seed in his field. But while 
men were asleep, his enemy came, and over- 
sowed cockle among the wheat and went his 
way. And when the blade was sprung up, 
and had brought forth fruit, then appeared 
also the cockle. And the servants of the good- 
man of the house coming, said to him, Sir, 
didst thou not sow good seed in thy field ? 
whence, then, hath it cockle ? And he said 
to them, An enemy hath done this. And the 
servants said to him, Wilt thou that we go 
and gather it up ? And he said, Xo : lest per- 
haps, gathering up the cockle, you root up 
the wheat also together with it. Suffer both 
to grow until the harvest ; and in the time 
of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather 
up first the cockle, and bind it into bundles 
to burn, but the wheat gather ye into my 
barn. 



20 EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



Sixth Sunday after Epiphany. 

Epist. 1 Thess. i. 2-10. — Brethren, we 
give thanks to God for you all, making a re- 
membrance of you in our prayers without 
ceasing ; being mindful of the work of your 
faith, and labor, and charity, and of the endur- 
ing of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ be- 
fore God and our Father : knowing, brethren, 
beloved of God, your election ; for our gospel 
hath not been unto you in word only, but in 
power also, and in the Holy Ghost, and in 
much fullness, as you know what manner of 
men we have been among you for your sakes. 
And you became followers of us and of the 
Lord ; receiving the word in much tribulation, 
with joy of the Holy Ghost : so that you were 
made a pattern to all that believe in Macedo- 
nia and in Achaia. For from you was spread 
abroad the word of the Lord, not only in 
Macedonia and in Achaia, but also in every 
place, your faith which is toward God, is 
gone forth ; so that we need not to speak any- 
thing. For they themselves relate of us what 
manner of entering in we had unto you ; and 
how ye turned to God from idols, to serve the 
living and true God ; and to wait for his Son 
from heaven (whom he raised from the dead), 
Jesus, who hath delivered us from the wrath 
to come. 

Gosp. Matt. xiii. 31-35. — At that time, 
Jesus spoke this parable to the multitudes : 
The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of 
mustard-seed, which a man took and sowed in 
his field : which is the least indeed of all 



SEFTUAGESIMA SUNDAY. 21 

seeds ; but when it is grown up, it is greater 
than all herbs, and becometh a tree ; so that 
the birds of the air come, and dwell in the 
branches thereof. Another parable he spoke 
to them : The kingdom of heaven is like 
to leaven, which a woman took and hid in 
three measures of meal, until the whole was 
leavened. All these things 'Jesus spoke in 
parables to the multitudes, and without para- 
bles he did not speak to them ; that it might 
be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, 
saving, I will open ray mouth in parables, I 
will utter things hidden from the foundation 
of the world. 

Septuagesima Sunday. 

Epist. 1 Cor. ix. 24 to x. 5. — Brethren, 
know you not that they that run in the race, 
all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize ? 
So run, that you may obtain. And every one 
that striveth for the mastery, refraineth him- 
self from all things : and they indeed that 
they may receive a corruptible crown, but we 
an incorruptible one. I therefore so run, not 
as at an uncertainty ; I so fight, not as one 
beating the air ; but I chastise my body, and 
bring it into subjection ; lest perhaps, when I 
have preached. to others, I myself should have 
become a castaway. For I would not have 
you ignorant, brethren, that our fathers were 
all under the cloud, and all passed through 
the sea ; and all in Moses were baptized, in 
the cloud and in the sea ; and did all eat the 
same spiritual food, and all drank the same 



22 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



spiritual drink (and they drank of the spiritual 
rock that followed them : and the rock was 
Christ). But with the most of them God was 
not well pleased. 

GrOSP. Matt. xx. 1-16. — At that time. Jesus 
spoke to his disciples this parable : The king- 
dom of heaven is like to a householder, who 
went out early in the morning to hire labor- 
ers into his vineyard. And having agreed 
with the laborers for a penny a-day, he sent 
them into his vineyard. And going out about 
the third hour, he saw others standing in the 
marketplace idle, and he said to them, Go 
you also into my vineyard, and I will give 
you what shall be just : and they went their 
way. And again he went out about the sixth 
and the ninth hour, and did in like manner. 
But about the eleventh hour, he went out, 
and found others standing ; and he saith to 
them, Why r»tand you here all the day idle '? 
They say to him, Because no man bath hired us. 
He saith to them, Go ye also into my vineyard. 
And when evening was come, the iord of the 
vineyard saith to his steward, Call the labor- 
ers, and pay them their hire, beginning from 
the last even to the first. When therefore 
they were come that came about the eleventh 
hour, they received every man a penny. But 
when the first also came, they thought that 
they should receive more ; and they also re- 
ceived every man a penny. And receiving it, 
they murmured against the master of the 
house, saying, These last have worked but 
one hour, and thou hast made them equal to 
us that have borne the burden of the day and 



SEXAGESIMA STJXDAY. 



23 



the heats. But he answering-, said to one of 
them, Friend, I do thee no wrong : didst thou 
not agree with me for a penny ? Take what 
is thine, and go thy way : I will also give to 
this last even as to thee. Or, is it not lawful 
for me to do what I will ? Is thy eye evil, 
because I am good ? So shall the last be first, 
and the first last. For many are called, but 
few are chosen. 

Sexagesima Sunday. 

Epist. 2 Cor. xi. 19 to xii. 9. — Brethren, you 
gladly suffer the foolish ; whereas yourselves 
are wise. For you suffer if a man bring you 
into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man 
take from you, if a man be lifted up, if a man 
strike you on the face. I speak according to 
dishonor, as if we had been weak in this 
part. Wherein if any man dare (I speak fool- 
ishly), I dare also. They are Hebrews ; so am 
I. They are Israelites ; so am I. They are 
the seed of Abraham ; so am I. They are the 
ministers of Christ (I speak as one less wise); 
I am more : in many more labors, in prisons 
more frequently, in stripes above measure, in 
deaths often. Of the Jews five times did I 
receive forty stripes save one. Thrice was I 
beaten with rods ; once I was stoned ; thrice I 
suffered shipwreck ; a night and a day I was 
in the depth of the sea. In j ourney ing often, in 
perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils 
from my own nation, in perils from the Gentiles, 
in perils in the city, in perils in the wilder- 
ness, in perils in the sea, in perils from false 



24 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



brethren. In labor and painfullness, in much 
watchings, in hunger and thirst, in fastings 
often, in cold and nakedness ; besides those 
things which are without, my daily instance, 
the solicitude for all the churches. Who is 
weak, and I am not weak ? Who is scandal- 
ized, and I am not on fire ? If I must needs 
glory, I will glory of the things that concern 
my infirmity. The God and Father of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, 
knoweth that I lie not. At Damascus the 
governor of the nation under xiretas the king, 
guarded the city of the Damascenes to appre- 
hend me ; and through a window in a basket 
was I let down by the wall, and so escaped 
his hands. If I must glory (it is not expedient 
indeed) ; but I will come to the visions and 
revelations of the Lord. I know a man in 
Christ above fourteen years ago (whether in 
the body, I know not, or out of the body, I 
know not ; God knoweth) : such an one rapt 
even to the third heaven. And I know such a 
man (whether in the body or out of the body, 
I cannot tell; God knoweth): that he was 
caught up into paradise : and heard secret 
words, which it is not granted to man to utter. 
Fot such an one I will glory ; but for myself 
I will glory nothing, but in my infirmities. 
For though I should have a mind to glory, I 
shall not be foolish ; for I will say the truth. 
But I forbear, lest any man should think of 
me above that which he seeth in me, or any- 
thing he heareth from me. And lest the 
greatness of the revelations should exalt me, 
there was given me a sting of my flesh, an 



SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY. 



25 



angel of Satan, to buffet me. For which 
thing thrice I besought the Lord, that it might 
depart from me. And he said to me, My grace 
is sufficient for thee ; for power is made per- 
fect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I 
glory in my infirmities, that the power of 
Christ may dwell in me. 

Gosp. Luke viii. 4-15. — At that time, when 
a very great multitude was gathered together 
and hastened out of the cities unto him, he 
spoke by a similitude : The sower went out 
to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell 
by the wayside ; and it was trodden down, 
and the fowls of the air devoured it. And 
other some fell upon a rock ; and as soon as it 
was sprung up, it withered away, because it 
had no moisture. And other some fell among 
thorns ; and the thorns growing up with it, 
choked it. And other some fell upon good 
ground ; and being sprung up, yielded fruit a 
hundredfold. Saying these things, he cried 
out, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 
And his disciples asked him what this parable 
might be. To whom he said, To you it is 
given to know the mystery of the kingdom of 
God, but to the rest in parables ; that seeing, 
they may not see, and hearing, may not un- 
derstand. Xow the parable is this : The seed 
is the word of God. And they by the wayside 
are they that hear ; then the devil cometh, 
and taketh the word out of their heart, lest 
believing they should be saved. Xow they 
upon the rock are they who, when they hear, 
receive the word with joy ; and these have no 
roots, for they believe for a while, and in time 



26 EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



of temptation they fall away. And that which 
fell among thorns are they who have heard, 
and going* their way, are choked with the 
cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and 
yield no fruit. But that on the good ground 
are they who, in a good and very good heart, 
hearing the word, keep it, and bring forth 
fruit in patience. 

Quinquagesima Sunday. 

Epist. 1 Cor. xiii. 1-13. — Brethren, if I 
speak with the tongues of men, and of angels, 
and have not charity, I am become as sound- 
ing brass or a tinkling cymbal. And if I 
should have prophecy, and know all mys- 
teries and all knowledge, and if I should have 
all faith, so that I could remove mountains, 
and have not charity, I am nothing. And if I 
should distribute all my goods to feed the 
poor, and if I should deliver my body to be 
burned, and have not charity, it profit eth me 
nothing. Charity is patient, is kind : charity 
envieth not ; dealeth not perversely ; is not 
puffed up ; is not ambitious ; seeketh not her 
own ; is not provoked to anger ; thinketh no 
evil ; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth 
in the truth ; beareth all things, believeth all 
things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 
Charity never falleth away : whether prophe- 
cies shall be made void, or tongues shall cease, 
or knowledge shall be destroyed.* For we 
know in part, and we prophesy in part. But 
when that which is perfect is come, that 
which is in part shall be done away. When 



QTJIXQUAGESMA SUNDAY. 



27 



I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood 
as a child, I thought as a child : but when I 
became a man, 1 put away the things of a 
child. We see now through a glass in a dark 
manner : but then face to face. Now I know 
in part ; but then I shall know even as I am 
known. And now there remain, faith, hope, 
charity, these three ; but the greatest of these 
is charity. 

Grosp/ Luke xviii. 31-43. — At that time, 
Jesus took unto him the twelve, and said to 
them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all 
things shall be accomplished which were 
written by the prophets concerning the Son of 
Man : for he shall be delivered to the Gentiles, 
and shall be mocked, and scourged, and spit 
upon ; and after they have scourged him, they 
will put him to death : and the third day he 
shall rise again. And they understood none 
of these things, and this word was hid from 
them, and they understood not the things that 
were said. Now it came to pass, when he 
drew nigh to Jericho, that a certain blind man 
sat by the wayside, begging. And when he 
heard the multitude passing by, he asked 
what this meant. And they told him that 
Jesus of Xazareth was passing by. And he 
cried out, saying, Jesus, son of David, have 
mercy on me. And they that went before re- 
buked him, that he should hold his peace : 
but he cried out much more, Son of David, 
have mercy on me. And Jesus standing, com- 
manded him to be brought unto him ; and 
when he was come near, he asked him, saying, 
What wilt thou that I do to thee ? But he 



28 EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



said, Lord, that I may see. And Jesus said 
to him : Receive thy sight ; thy faith hath 
made thee whole. And immediately he saw, 
and followed him, glorifying God : and all 
the people, when they saw it, gave praise to 
God. 

Ash- Wednesday. 

Less. Joel ii. 12-19.— Thus saith the Lord, 
Be converted to me with all your heart, in 
fasting, and in weeping, and in mourning. 
And rend your hearts and not your garments, 
and turn to the Lord your God ; for he is 
gracious and merciful, patient and rich in 
mercy, and ready to repent of the evil. Who 
knoweth but he will return, and forgive, and 
leave a blessing behind Mm, sacrifice and li- 
bation to the Lord your God ? Blow the trum- 
pet in Zion : sanctify a fast ; call a solemn as- 
sembly ; gather together the people ; sanctify 
the Church ; assemble the ancients ; gather 
together the little ones, and them that suck 
at the breasts ; let the bridegroom go forth 
from his bed, and the bride out of her bride- 
chamber, Between the porch and the altar 
the priests, the Lord's ministers, shall weep ; 
and shall say, Spare, 0 Lord, spare thy peo- 
ple ; and give not thine inheritance to re- 
proach, that the heathens should rule over 
them. Why should they say among the na- 
tions, Where is their God? The Lord hath 
been zealous for his land, and hath spared his 
people. And the Lord answered, and said to 
his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and 
wine, and oil, and you shall be filled with 



FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT. 



2D 



them ; and I will no more make you a reproach 
among the nations, saith the Lord Almighty. 

Gosp. Matt. vi. 16-21. — At that time, Jesus 
said to his disciples, When you fast, be not as 
the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their 
faces, that they may appear unto men to 
fast. Amen I say to you, they have received 
their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, 
anoint thy head and wash thy face ; that thou 
appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father 
who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in 
secret will repay thee. Lay not up to your- 
selves treasures on earth, where the rust and 
moth consume, and where thieves break 
through and steal. But lay up to yourselves 
treasures in heaven, where neither the rust 
nor moth doth consume, and where thieves 
do not break through nor steal. For where 
thy treasure is, there is thy heart also. 

First Sunday in Lent. 

Epist. 2 Cor. vi. 1-10. — Brethren, we ex- 
hort you that you receive not the grace of God 
in vain. For he saith, In an accepted time 
have I heard thee, and in the day of salvation 
have I helped thee. Behold, now is the ac- 
ceptable time ; behold, now is the day of sal - 
vation. Giving no offense to any man, that 
our ministry be not blamed : but in all things 
let us exhibit ourselves as the ministers of God; 
in much patience, in tribulations, in necessi- 
ties, in distresses, in stripes, in prisons, in sedi- 
tions, in labors, in watchings, in fastings, in 
chastity, in knowledge, in longs uffering, in 



30 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



sweetness, in the Holy Ghost, in charity un- 
feigned, in the word of truth, in the power of 
God: by the armor of justice on the right hand 
and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil 
report and good report ; as deceivers, and yet 
true ; as unknown, and yet known ; as dying, 
and behold we live ; as chastised, and not 
killed ; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing ; as 
needy, yet enriching many ; as having noth- 
ing, and possessing all things. 

Gosp. Matt. iv. 1-11. — At that time, Jesus 
was led by the Spirit into the desert, to be 
tempted by the devil. And when he had 
fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward 
he was hungry. And the tempter coming, 
said to him, If thou be the Son of God, com- 
mand that these stones be made bread. 'Who 
answered and said, It is written, Not in bread 
alone doth man live, but in every word that 
proceedeth from the mouth of God. Then 
the devil took him up into the holy city, and 
set him upon the pinnacle of the temple, and 
said to him, If thou be the Son of God. cast 
thyself down : for it is written, That he hath 
given his angels charge over thee, and in their 
hands shall they bear thee up, lest perhaps 
thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus 
said to him, It is written again, Thou shalt 
not tempt the Lord thy God. Again the 
devil took him up into a very high mountain ; 
and showed him all the kingdoms of the 
world, and the glory of them ; and said to 
him, All these will I give thee, if, falling 
down, thou wilt adore me. Then Jesus saith 
to him, Begone, Satan, for it is written, The 



SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT. 31 

Lord thy God slialt thou adore, and him only 
shalt thou serve. Then the devil left him ; 
and behold, angels came, and ministered to 
him. 

Second Sunday in Lent. 

Epist. 1 Thess. iv. 1-7. — Brethren, we pray 
and beseech you in the Lord Jesus, that as you 
have received of us, how you ought to walk, 
and to please God, so also you would walk, 
that you may abound the more. For you know 
what precepts I have given to you by the Lord 
Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanc- 
tification ; that you should abstain from forni- 
cation, that every one of you should know 
how to possess his vessel in sanctification and 
honor ; not in the passion of lust, like the 
Gentiles that know not God : and that no man 
overreach, nor circumvent his brother in busi- 
ness ; because the Lord is the avenger of all 
these things, as we have told you before, and 
have testified. For God hath not called us 
unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification ; in 
Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Gosp. Matt. xvii. 1-9. — At that time, Jesus 
took Peter, and James, and John his brother, 
and bringeth them up into a high mountain 
apart : and he was transfigured before them. 
And his face did shine as the sun, and his gar- 
ments became white as snow. And behold, 
there appeared to them Moses and Elias talk- 
ing with him. And Peter answering, said to 
Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here ; if 
thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, 
one for thee, and one for Moses, and One for 



82 EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 

Elias. And as he was yet speaking, behold a 
bright cloud over shaded them : and lo, a 
voice out of the cloud, saving, This is my be- 
loved Son, in whom I am well pleased ; hear 
ye him. And the disciples hearing, fell upon 
their faces, and were very much afraid : and 
Jesus came and touched them, and said to 
them, Arise, and fear not. And they lifting 
up their eyes saw no one, but only J esus. And 
as they came down from the mountain, Jesus 
charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, 
illl the Son of Man be risen from the dead. 

Third Sunday in Lent. 

Epist. Eph. v. 1-9.— Brethren, be ye fol- 
lowers of Gfod, as most dear children ; and 
walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and 
hath delivered himself for us, an oblation and 
a sacrifice to God, for an odor of sweetness. 
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covet- 
ousness, let it not so much as be named among 
you, as becometh saints ; nor obscenity, nor 
foolish talking, nor scurrility, which is to 
no purpose ; but rather giving of thanks : for 
know ye this, and understand, that no forni- 
cator, nor unclean, nor covetous person, which 
is a serving of idols, hath any inheritance in 
the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no 
man deceive you with vain words ; for because 
of these things cometh the anger of God upon 
the children of unbelief. Be ye not therefore 
partakers with them. For you were hereto- 
fore darkness ; but now light in the Lord. 
Walk, then, as children of the light ; for the 



THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT. 



33 



fruit of the light is in all goodness, and jus- 
tice, and truth. 

Gosp. Luke xi. 14-28.— At that time, Jesus 
was casting out a devil, and the same was 
dumb ; and when he had cast out the devil, 
the dumb spoke, and the multitudes were in 
admiration at it ; but some of them said, He 
casteth out devils by Beelzebub the prince of 
devils. And others tempting, asked of him 
a sign from heaven. But he seeing their 
thoughts, said to them, Every kingdom 
divided against itself shall be brought to deso- 
lation, and house upon house shall fall ; and 
if Satan also be divided against himself, how 
shall his kingdom stand? because you say, 
that through Beelzebub I cast out devils. Xow 
if I cast out devils by Beelzebub, by whom do 
your children cast them out ? Therefore they 
shall be your judges. But if I by the finger 
of God cast out devils, doubtless the kingdom 
of God is come upon you. When a strong 
man armed keepeth his court, those things 
which he possesseth are in peace ; but if a 
stronger than he come upon him, and over- 
come him, he will take away all his armor 
wherein he trusted, and will distribute his 
spoils. He that is not with me is against me ; 
and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth. 
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, 
he walketh through places without water, 
seeking rest ; and not finding, he saith, I will 
return into my house whence I came out : and 
when he is come, he findeth it swept and gar- 
nished. Then he goeth, and taketh with him 
seven other spirits' more wicked than himself, 
3 



34 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



and entering in they dwell there ; and the last 
state of that man becomes worse than the first. 
And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, 
a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up 
her voice, said to him, Blessed is the womb 
that bore thee, and the paps that gave thee 
suck. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are 
they who hear the word of God, and keep it. 

Fourth Sunday in Lent. 

Epist. Galat. iv. 22 31.— Brethren, it is 
written that Abraham had two sons ; the one 
by a bond-woman and the other by a free- 
woman. But he who was of the bond-woman 
was born according to the flesh ; but he of the 
free- woman was by promise. Which things 
are said by an allegory. For these are the two 
testaments ; the one from mount Sina, engen- 
dering unto bondage, which is Agar : for Sina 
is a mountain in Arabia, which hath affinity to 
that Jerusalem which now is, and is in bond- 
age with her children : but that Jerusalem 
which is above is free, which is our mother. 
For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that 
bearest not ; break forth and cry, thou that 
prevailest not ; for many are the children of 
the desolate, more than of her that hath a hus- 
band. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are 
the children of promise. But as then he that 
was born according to the flesh persecuted him 
that was after the spirit, so also it is now. 
But what saith the scripture ? Cast out the 
bond-woman and her son ; for the son of the 
bond-woman shall not be heir with the son of 
the free-woman. So then, brethren, we are 



FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT. 



35 



not the children of the bond-woman, but of 
the free ; by the freedom wherewith Christ 
hath made us free. 

Gosp. John yi. 1-15. — At that time, Jesus 
went over the sea of Galilee, w T hich is that of 
Tiberias ; and a great multitude followed him, 
because they saw the miracles which he did 
on them that were diseased. Jesus therefore 
went up into a mountain, and there he sat 
with his disciples. Now the pasch, the festi- 
val day of the Jews, was near at hand. When 
Jesus therefore had lifted up his eyes, and 
seen that a very great multitude cometh to 
him, he said to Philip, Whence shall we buy 
bread that these may eat ? And this he said 
to try him; for he himself knew w^hat he 
would do. Philip answered, Two hundred 
penny-worth of bread is not sufficient for 
them, that every one may take a little. One 
of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon 
Peter, saith to him, There is a boy here 
that hath five barley loaves and two fishes ; 
but what are these among so many? Then 
Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now 
there was much grass in the place. The men 
therefore sat down, in number about five 
thousand. And Jesus took the loaves ; and 
when he had given thanks, he distributed to 
them that were set down. In like manner 
also of the fishes, as much as they would. And 
when they were filled, he said to his disciples, 
Gather up the fragments that remain, lest 
they be lost. They gathered up, therefore, 
and filled twelve baskets with the fragments 
of the five barley loaves, which remained over 



86 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



and above to them that had eaten. Xow those 
men, when they had seen what a miracle 
Jesns had done, said, This is of a truth the 
prophet that is to come into the world. Jesus 
therefore, when he knew that they would 
come to take him by force, and make him 
king, fled again into the mountain himself 
alone. 

Passion Sunday. 

Epist. Heb. fx. 11-15.— Brethren, Christ 
being come, a high priest of the good things 
to come, by a greater and more perfect taber- 
nacle, not made with hands, that is, not of 
this creation, neither by the blood of goats or 
of calves, but by his own blood, entered once 
into the Holies, having obtained eternal re- 
demption. For if the blood of goats and of 
oxen, and the ashes of an heifer being sprin- 
kled, sanctify such as are denied, to the 
cleansing of the flesh, how much more shall 
the blood of Christ, who, by the Holy Ghost, 
offered himself without spot to God, cleanse 
our conscience from dead works, to serve the 
living God ? And therefore he is the mediator 
of the new testament ; that by means of his 
death, for the redemption of those transgres- 
sions which were under the former testament; 
they that are called may receive the promise 
of eternal inheritance, in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Gosp. John viii. 46-59. — At that time, Jesus 
said to the multitudes of the Jews, Which of 
you shall convince me of sin ? If I say the 
truth to you, why do you not believe me '? He 
that is of God, heareth the words of God. 



PALM SUNDAY. 



37 



Therefore you hear them not, because you are 
not of God. The Jews therefore answered, 
and said to him, Do not we say well, that thou 
art a Samaritan, and hast a devil ? Jesus an- 
swered, I have not a devil ; but I honor my 
Father, and you have dishonored me. But I 
seek not my own glory ; there is one that 
seeketh and judgeth. Amen, amen, I say to 
you, if any man keep my word, he shall not 
see death forever. The Jews therefore said, 
Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abra- 
ham is dead, and the prophets ; and thou say- 
est, If any man keep my word, he shall not 
taste death forever. Art thou greater than 
our Father Abraham, who is dead ? and the 
prophets are dead. Whom dost thou make 
thyself ? Jesus answered, If I glorify myself, 
my glory is nothing. It is my Father that 
glorifieth me, of whom you say that he is your 
God. And you have not known him ; but I 
know him. And if I shall say that I know 
him not, I shall be like to you, a liar. But I 
do know him, and do keep his word. Abra- 
ham your father rejoiced that he might see 
my day : he saw it, and was glad. The Jews 
therefore said to him, Thou art not yet fifty 
years old, and hast thou seen Abraham ? Jesus 
said to them, Amen, amen, I say to you, be- 
fore Abraham was made, I am. They took up 
stones therefore to cast at him : but Jesus hid 
himself, and went out of the temple. 

Palm Sunday. 

Less. Exod. xv. 27 to xvi. 7. — In those days, 
the children of Israel came into Elini, where 



33 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



there were twelve fountains of water, and 
seventy palm-trees ; and they encamped by the 
waters. And they set forward from Elim, and 
all the multitude of the children of Israel 
came into the desert of Sin, which is between 
Elim and Sinai, the fifteenth day of the second 
month after they came out of the land of 
Egypt. And all the congregation of the chil- 
dren of Israel murmured against Moses and 
Aaron in the wilderness. And the children of 
Israel said to them, Would to God we had 
died by the hand of the Lord in the land of 
Egypt, when we sat over the flesh-pots, and 
ate bread to the full. Why have you brought 
us into this desert, that you might destroy all 
the multitude with famine? And the Lord 
said to Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from 
heaven for you : let the people go forth, and 
gather what is sufficient for every day, that I 
may prove them whether they will walk in my 
law or no. But the sixth day let them pro- 
vide for to bring in ; and let it be double to 
that they were wont to gather every day. 
And Moses and Aaron said to the children of 
Israel, In the evening you shall know that the 
Lord hath brought you forth out of the land 
of Egypt ; and in the morning you shall see 
the glory of the Lord. 

Gosp. Matt. xxi. 1-9. — At that time, when 
Jesus drew nigh to Jerusalem, and was come 
to Bethphage, unto mount Olivet, he sent two 
disciples, saying to them, Go ye into the vil- 
lage that is over against you, and immediately 
you shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her ; 
loose them, and bring them to me. And if 



PALM SUNDAY. 



39 



any man shall say anything to yon, say ye 
that the Lord hath need of them ; and forth- 
with he will let them go. Now all this was 
done that it might be fulfilled which was 
spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the 
daughter of Sion, Behold, thy king cometh to 
thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a 
colt, the foal of her that is used to the yoke. 
And the disciples going, did as Jesus com- 
manded them ; and they brought the ass and 
the colt, and laid their garments upon them, 
and made him sit thereon. And a very great 
multitude spread their garments in the way ; 
and others cut boughs from the trees, and 
strewed them in the way: and the multitudes 
that went before, and that followed, cried, 
saying, Hosanna to the son of David ! blessed 
is he that cometh in the name of the Lord! 

Epist. Philip, ii. 5-11. — Brethren, let this 
mind be in you, which was also in Christ 
Jesus ; who being in the form of God, thought 
it not robbery to be equal with God ; but emp- 
tied himself, taking the form of a servant, be- 
ing made in the likeness of men, and in habit 
found as a man. (-v. 8.) He humbled himself, 
becoming obedient unto death, even the death 
of the cross. For which cause God also hath 
exalted him, and hath given him a name 
which is above all names: that in the name 
of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that 
are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth ; 
and that every tongue should confess that the 
Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the 
Father. 



40 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. 

According to St. Matt, xxri.-xxvii. 1-66. 

At that time, Jesus said to his disciples, You 
know that after two days shall be the pasch, 
and the Son of Man shall be delivered up to 
be crucified. Then there were gathered to- 
gether the chief priests and the ancients of 
the people, into the court of the high priest, 
who was called Caiphas ; and they consulted 
together that by subtilty they might appre- 
hend Jesus, and put him to death. But they 
said, Not on the festival day, lest perhaps 
there should be a tumult among the people. 
And when Jesus was in Bethania, in the house 
of Simon the leper, there came to him a wo- 
man having an alabaster box of precious oint- 
ment, and poured it on his head, as he was at 
table. And the disciples seeing it, had in- 
dignation, saying, To what purpose is this 
waste? for this might have been sold for 
much, and given to the poor. And Jesus know- 
ing it, said to them, Why do you trouble this 
woman ? for she hath wrought a good work 
upon me. For the poor you have always 
with you ; but me you have not always. For 
she, in pouring this ointment upon my body, 
hath done it for my burial. Amen I say to 
you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached 
in the whole world, that also which she hath 
done shall be told, for a memory of her. 
Then went one of the twelve, who was called 
Judas Iscariot, to the chief priests, and he 
said to them, What will you give me, and I 



PALM SUNDAY. 



41 



will deliver him unto you? but they appointed 
him thirty pieces of silver. And from thence- 
forth he sought opportunity to betray him. 
And on the first day of the azymes the dis- 
ciples came to Jesus, saying, Where wilt thou 
that we prepare for thee to eat the pasch ? But 
Jesus said, Go ye into the city to a certain 
man, and say to him, The master saith, My 
time is near at hand, I will keep the pasch at 
thy house with my disciples. And the dis- 
ciples did as Jesus appointed to them ; and 
they prepared the pasch. Now when it was 
evening, he sat down with his twelve disci- 
ples, and whilst they were eating, he said, 
Amen I say to you, that one of you is about 
to betray me. And they, being very much 
troubled, began every one to say, Is it I, 
Lord ? But he answering, said, He that dip- 
peth his hand with me in the dish, he shall 
betray me. The Son of Man indeed goeth, as 
it is written of him ; but woe to that man 
by whom the Son of Man shall be be- 
trayed : it were better for him, if that man 
had not been born. And Judas that be- 
trayed him, answering, said, Is it I, Kabbi ? 
He saith to him, Thou hast said it. And 
whilst they were at supper, Jesus took 
bread, and blessed, and broke : and gave 
to his -disciples, and said, Take ye, and eat : 
this is my body. And taking the chalice, he 
gave thanks : and gave to them, saying, Drink 
ye all of this. For this is my blood of the 
new testament, which shall be shed for many 
unto remission of sins. And I say unto you, 
I will not drink from henceforth of this fruit 



42 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



of the vine, until that day when I shall drink 
it with you new in the kingdom of my Father. 
And a hymn being said, they went out unto 
mount Olivet. Then Jesus saith to them, 
All you shall be scandalized in me this night ; 
for it is written, I will strike the shepherd, 
and the sheep of the nock shall be dispersed : 
but after I shall be risen again, I will go before 
you into Galilee. And Peter answering, said 
to him, Although all shall be scandalized in 
thee, I will never be scandalized. Jesus said 
to him, Amen I say to thee, that in this night, 
before the cock crow, thou wilt deny me thrice. 
Peter saith to him, Yea, though I should die 
with thee, I will not deny thee : and in like 
manner said all the disciples. Then Jesus 
came with them into a country place which is 
called Gethsemani ; and he said to his disciples, 
Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray : and 
taking with him Peter and the two sons of 
Zebedee, he began to grow sorrowful and to 
be sad. Then he saith to them, My soul is 
sorrowful even unto death ; stay you here and 
watch with me. And going a little farther, 
he fell upon his face, praying, and saying, My 
Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass 
from me : nevertheless, not as I will, but as 
thou wilt. And he cometh to his disciples, 
and findeth them asleep : and he saith to 
Peter, What ! could you not watch one hour 
with me ? Watch ye, and pray, that ye enter 
not into temptation. The spirit indeed is will- 
ing, but the flesh is weak. Again the second 
time, he went, and prayed, saying, My Father, 
if this chalice may not pass away, but I must 



PALM SUNDAY. 



43 



drink it, thy will be done. And lie cometh 
again, and findeth them sleeping ; for their 
eyes were heavy. And leaving them, he wen t 
again : and he prayed the third time, saying 
the selfsame word. Then he cometh to his 
disciples, and saith to them, Sleep ye now, 
and take your rest ; behold, the hour is at 
hand, and the Son of Man shall be betrayed 
into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go ; 
behold, he is at hand that will betray me. 
As he yet spoke, behold Judas, one of the 
twelve, came ; and with him a great multitude 
with swords and clubs, sent from the chief 
priests and the ancients of the people. And 
he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, 
Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he ; hold him 
fast. And forthwith coming to Jesus, he said, 
Hail, Rabbi ; and he kissed him. And Jesus 
said to him, Friend, whereto art thou come ? 
Then they came up, and laid hands on Jesus, 
and held him. And behold, one of them that 
were with Jesus, stretching forth his hand, 
drew out his sword, and striking the servant 
of the high priest, cut off his ear. Then 
Jesus saith to him, Put up again thy sword 
into its place ; for all that take the sword 
shall perish by the sword. Thinkest thou that 
I cannot ask my Father, and he will give me 
presently more than twelve legions of angels 1 
How then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, 
that so it must be done ? In that same hour 
Jesus said to the multitudes, You are come 
out, as it were to a robber, with swords and 
clubs, to apprehend me. I sat daily with you 
teaching in the temple, and you laid not 



44 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



liands on me. Now all this was done, that the 
scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. 
Then the disciples, all leaving him, fled. But 
they holding Jesus, led him to Caiphas the 
high priest, where the scribes and ancients 
were assembled. And Peter followed him 
afar off, even to the court of the high priest. 
And going in, he sat with the servants, that 
he might see the end. And the chief priests 
and the whole council sought false witness 
-against Jesus, that they might put him to 
death. And they found not ; whereas many 
false witnesses had come in. And last of all, 
there came two false witnesses. And they said, 
This man said, I am able to destroy the tem- 
ple of God, and in three days to rebuild it. 
And the high priest, rising up, said to him, 
Answerest thou nothing to the things which 
these witness against thee? But Jesus held 
his peace. And the high priest said to him, I 
adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell 
us if thou be the Christ the Son of God. 
Jesus saith to him, Thou hast said it. Never- 
theless I say to you, hereafter you shall see 
the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of 
the power of God, and coming in the clouds 
of heaven. Then the high priest rent his 
garments, saying, He hath blasphemed ; what 
further need have we of witnesses ? Behold, 
now you have heard the blasphemy. What 
think you ? But they answering, said, He is 
guilty of death. Then did they spit in his 
face and buffeted him ; and others struck his 
face with the palms of their hands, saying, 
Prophesy unto us, 0 Christ, who is he that 



PALM SUNDAY. 



45 



struck thee? But Peter sat without in the 
court, and there came to him a servant-maid, 
saying, Thou also wast with Jesus the Gal- 
ilean : but he denied before them all, saying, 
I know not what thou sayest. And as he 
went out of the gate, another maid saw him, 
and she saith to them that were there, This 
man also was with Jesus of Nazareth. And 
again he denied with an oath, I know not the 
man. And after a little while, they came 
that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou 
also art one of them ; for even thy speech 
doth discover thee. Then he began to curse 
and to swear that he knew not the man ; and 
immediately the cock crew. And Peter re- 
membered the word of Jesus which he had 
said, Before the cock crow, thou wilt deny 
me thrice. And going forth, he wept bitterly. 
And when morning was come, all the chief 
priests and ancients of the people took counsel 
against Jesus, to put him to death. And they 
brought him bound, and delivered hkn to 
Pontius Pilate, the governor. Then Judas, 
who betrayed him,, seeing that he was con- 
demned, repenting himself, brought back the 
thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and 
ancients, saying, I have sinned, in betraying 
innocent blood ; but they said, What is that to 
us? look thou to it. And casting down the 
pieces of silver in the temple, he departed ; and 
went, and hanged himself with a halter. But 
the chief priests having taken the pieces of 
silver, said, It is not lawful to put them into 
the corbona, because it is the price of blood. 
And after they had consulted together, they 



40 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



bought with them the potter's field to be a 
burying- place for strangers. Wherefore that 
field was called Haceldama, that is, The field 
of blood, even to this day. Then was fulfilled 
that which was spoken by Jeremias the 
prophet, saying, And they took the thirty 
pieces of silver, the price of him that was 
prized, whom they prized of the children of 
Israel ; and they gave them unto the potter's 
field, as the Lord appointed to me. And Je- 
sus stood before the governor, and the gover- 
nor asked him, saying, Art thou the king of 
the Jews? Jesus saith to him, Thou sayest 
it. And when he was accused by the chief 
priests and ancients, he answered nothing. 
Then Pilate saith to him, Dost not thou hear 
how great testimonies they allege against 
thee ? And he answered him to never a word ; 
so that the governor wondered exceedingly. 
Now upon the solemn day the governor was ac- 
customed to release to the people one prisoner, 
whom they would ; and he had then a notori- 
ous prisoner, that was called Barabbas. They 
therefore being gathered together, Pilate said, 
Whom will you that I release to you, Barab- 
bas, or Jesus that is called Christ? For he 
knew that for envy they had delivered him. 
And as he was sitting in the place of judg- 
ment, his wife sent to him, saying, Have thou 
nothing to do with that just man, for I have 
suffered many things this day in a dream be- 
cause of him. But the chief priests and an- 
cients persuaded the people that they should 
ask Barabbas, and make Jesus away. And the 
governor answering, said to them, Whether 



PALM SUNDAY. 



47 



will you of the two to be released unto you ? 
But they said, Barabbas. Pilate saith to them, 
What shall I do then with Jesus that is 
called Christ ? They say all, Let him be cru- 
cified. The governor said to them, Why, 
what evil hath he done ? But they cried 
out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. 
And Pilate seeing that he prevailed nothing, 
but that rather a tumult was made, taking 
water, washed his hands before the people, 
saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just 
man ; look you to it. And the whole people 
answering, said, His blood be upon us and 
upon our children. Then he released to them 
Barabbas ! and having scourged Jesus, de- 
livered him unto them to be crucified. Then 
the soldiers of the governor taking Jesus into 
the hall, gathered together unto him the 
whole band ; and stripping him, they put a 
scarlet cloak about him. And platting a crown 
of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a 
reed in his right hand. And bowing the knee 
before him, they mocked him, saying, Hail, 
king of tbe Jews. And spitting upon him, they 
took the reed and struck his head. And after 
they had mocked him, they took or! the cloak 
from him, and put on him his own garments, 
and led him away to crucify him. And going 
out, they found a man of Cyrene, named 
Simon ; him they forced to take up his cross. 
And they came to the place that is called Gol- 
gotha, which is, The place of Calvary. And 
they gave him wine to drink mingled with 
gall ; and when he had tasted he would not 
drink. And after they had crucified him, they 



48 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



divided his garments, casting lots ; that it 
might be fulfilled which was spoken by the 
prophet, saying, They divided my garments 
among them and upon my vesture they cast 
lots. And they sat, and watched him. And 
they put over his head his cause written, This 
is Jesus the King of the Jews, Then were 
crucified with him two thieves, one on the 
right hand, and one on the left. And they 
that passed by, blasphemed him, wagging 
their heads, and saying, Vah, thou that de- 
stroyest the temple of God, and in three days 
dost rebuild it, save thy own self ; if thou be 
the Son of God come down from the cross. 
In like manner also the chief priests with the 
scribes and ancients mocking, said, He saved 
others, himself he cannot save : if he be the 
king of Israel, let him now come down from 
the cross, and we will believe him : he trusted 
in God, let him now deliver him if he will 
have him ; for he said, I am the Son of God. 
And the self-same thing the thieves also that 
were crucified with him, reproached him with. 
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness 
over the whole earth, until the ninth hour. 
And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a 
loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabacthani ? 
that is, My God, my God, why hast thou for- 
saken me ? And some that stood there, and 
heard, said, This man calleth Elias. And 
immediately one of them running, took a 
sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it 
on a reed, and gave him to drink. And the 
others said, Let be ; let us see whether Elias 
will come to deliver him. And Jesus again 



PALM SUNDAY. 



49 



crying with a loud voice, yielded up the 
Ghost. 

[Here all kneel, and pause a little.] 

And behold the vail of the temple was rent 
in two, from the top even to the bottom ; and 
the earth quaked, and the rocks were rent ; and 
the graves were opened, and many bodies of 
the saints that had slept arose, and coming out 
of the tombs after his resurrection, came into 
the holy city, and appeared to many. Now the 
centurion and they that were with him watch- 
ing Jesus, having seen the earthquake and the 
things that were done, were sore afraid, say- 
ing, Indeed this was the Son of God. And there 
were many women afar off, who had followed 
Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him ; 
among whom was Mary Magdalen, and Mary 
the mother of James and Joseph, and the mo- 
ther of the sons of Zebedee. And when it 
was evening, there came a certain rich man 
of Arimathea, named Joseph, who also him- 
self was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pi- 
late, and asked the body of Jesus. Then Pi- 
late commanded that the body should be de- 
livered. And Joseph taking the body, wrapt 
it up in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his 
own new monument, which he had hewn out 
in a rock ; and he rolled a great stone to the 
door of the monument, and went his way. 
And there was there Mary Magdalen and the 
other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. 

[Here is said the Mnnda cor meum, etc.] 

And the next day, which followed the day 
of the preparation, the chief priests and the 
4* 



50 EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 

Pharisees came together to Pilate, saying, Sir, 
we have remembered that that seducer said, 
while he was vet alive, After three days I will 
rise again : command therefore the sepulchre 
to be guarded until the third day, lest perhaps 
his disciples come and steal him away, and 
say to the people, He is risen from the dead ; 
and the last error shall be worse than the 
first. Pilate said to them, You have a guard ; 
go, guard it as you know. And they, depart- 
ing, made the sepulchre sure, sealing the 
stone, and setting guards. 

Good Friday. 

Less. Osee vi. 1-6. — Thus saith the Lord, 
In their affliction they will rise early to me : 
Come, and let us return to the Lord ; for he 
hath taken us, and he will heal us : he will 
strike, and he will cure us. He will revive 
us after two days ; on the third day he will 
raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. 
We shall know, and we shall follow on, that 
we may know the Lord. His going forth is 
prepared as the morning light, and he will 
come to us as the early and the latter rain to 
the earth. What shall I do to thee, 0 Eph- 
raim ? what shall I do to thee, 0 Juda ? your 
mercy is as a morning cloud, and as the dew 
that goeth away in the morning. For this 
reason have I hewed them by the prophets, I 
have slain them by the words of my mouth ; 
and thy judgments shall go forth as the light. 
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice ; and the 
knowledge of God more than holocausts. 



GOOD FRIDAY. 



51 



Less. Exod. xii. 1-11. — In those days, the 
Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of 
Egypt, This month shall be to you the begin- 
ning of months ; it shall be the first in the 
months of the year. Speak ye to the whole 
assembly of the children of Israel, and say to 
them, On the tenth day of this month let every 
man take a lamb by their families and houses. 
But if the number be less than may suffice to 
eat the lamb, he shall take unto him hi3 
neighbor that joineth to his house, according 
to the number of souls which may be enough 
to eat the lamb. And it shall be a lamb with- 
out blemish, a male of one year ; according to 
which rite, also, you shall take a kid. And 
you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of 
this month ; and the whole multitude of the 
children of Israel shall sacrifice it in the even- 
ing. And they shall take of the blood thereof, 
and put it upon both the side-posts and on the 
upper door-posts of the houses, wherein they 
shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh that 
night roasted at the fire, and unleavened 
bread, with wild lettuce. You shall not eat 
thereof anything raw, nor boiled in water, but 
only roasted at the fire ; you shall eat the head 
with the feet and entrails thereof. Neither 
shall there remain anything of it until the 
morning. If there be anything left, you shall 
burn it with fire, And thus you shall eat it : 
you shall gird your reins, and you shall have 
shoes on your feet, holding staves in your 
hands, and you shall eat in haste ; for it is the 
Phase (that is, the passage) of the Lord. 



52 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



THE PASSION OP OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. 

According to St. John xviii.-xix. 1-24. 

At that time, Jesus went forth with his 
disciples over the brook Cedron, where there 
was a garden, into which he entered with his 
disciples. And Judas also, who betrayed him, 
knew the place ; because Jesus had often 
resorted thither together with his disciples. 
Judas therefore, having received a band of 
soldiers, and servants from the chief priests 
and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lan- 
terns, and torches, and weapons. Jesus there- 
fore, knowing all things that should come 
upon him, went forth, and said to them, Whom 
seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Naza- 
reth. Jesus saith to them, I am he. And 
Judas also, who betrayed him, stood with 
them. As soon, therefore, as he had said to 
them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to 
the ground. Again, therefore, he asked them, 
Whom seek ye ? And they said, Jesus of Naz- 
areth. Jesus answered, I have told you that 
I am he : if, therefore, you seek me, let these 
go their way. That the word might be ful- 
filled which he said, Of them whom thou hast 
given me, I have not lost any one. Then 
Simon Peter having a sword, drew it, and 
struck the servant of the high priest, and cut 
off his right ear. And the name of the servant 
was Malchus. Jesus therefore said to Peter, 
Put up thy sword into the scabbard : the 
chalice which my Father hath given me, shall 
I not drink it ? Then the band, and the trib- 
une, and the servants of the Jews took Jesus, 



GOOD FRIDAY. 



53 



and bound him ; and led him away to Annas 
first, for he was father-in-law to Caiphas, who 
was the high priest of that year. Now Caiphas 
was he w r ho had given the counsel to the Jews, 
that it was expedient that one man should die 
for the people. And Simon Peter followed 
Jesus, and so did another disciple ; and that 
disciple was known to the high priest, and 
went in with Jesus into the court of the high 
priest. But Peter stood at the door without. 
The other disciple, therefore, who was known 
to the high priest, went out and spoke to the 
portress, and brought in Peter. The maid, 
therefore, that was portress, saith to Peter, 
Art not thou also one of this man's disciples ? 
He saith, I am not. Now the servants and 
ministers stood at a fire of coals, because it 
was cold, and warmed themselves ; and with 
them was Peter also standing, and w r arming 
himself. The high priest therefore asked 
Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. 
Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to 
the world ; I have always taught in the syna- 
gogue, and in the temple, whither all the Jews 
resort ; and in secret I have spoken nothing. 
Why askest thou me? ask them who have 
heard what I have spoken unto them: behold, 
they know what things I have said. And when 
he had said these things, one of the servants 
standing by gave Jesus a blow, saying, An- 
swerest thou the high priest so ? Jesus an- 
swered, If I have spoken evil, give testimony 
of the evil ; but if well, why strikest thou me ? 
And Annas sent him bound to Caiphas the 
high priest. And Simon Peter was standing, 



54 EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



and wanning himself. They said therefore to 
him, Art not thou also one of his disciples ? 
He denied it, and said, I am not. One of the 
servants of the high priest (a kinsman to him 
whose ear Peter cut off) saith to him, Did 
not I see thee in the garden with him? 
Again therefore Peter denied ; and immedi- 
ately the cock crew. Then they led Jesus from 
Caiphas to. the governor's hall. And it was 
morning : and they went not into the hall, 
that they might not be denied, but that they 
might eat the pasch. Pilate therefore went 
out to them, and said, What accusation bring 
you against this man ? They answered, and 
said to him, If he were not a malefactor, we 
would not have delivered him up to thee. 
Pilate therefore said to them, Take him you, 
and judge him according to your law. The 
Jews therefore said to him, It is not lawful for 
us to put any man to death. That the word 
of Jesus might be fulfilled which he said, sig- 
nifying what death he should die. Pilate 
therefore went into the hall again, and called 
J esus, and said to him, Art thou the king of 
the Jews? Jesus answered, Sayest thou this 
thing of thyself, or have others told it thee of 
me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thy own 
nation and the chief priests have delivered 
thee up to me ; what hast thou done ? Jesus 
answered, My kingdom is not of this world. 
If my kingdom were of this world, my ser- 
vants would certainly strive that I should not 
be delivered to the Jews ; but now my king- 
dom is not from hence. Pilate therefore said 
to him, Art thou a king, then? Jesus an- 



GOOD FRIDAY. 



55 



swered, Thou sayest that I am a king. For 
this was I "born, and for this came I into the 
world ; that I should give testimony to the 
truth. Everyone that is of the truth, heareth 
my voice. Pilate saith to him, What is truth ? 
And when he had said this, he went out again 
to the Jews, and saith to them, I find no cause 
in him. But you have a custom that I should 
release one unto you at the pasch : will you 
therefore that I release unto you the king of 
the Jews ? Then cried they all again, saying, 
Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas 
was a robber. Then therefore Pilate took 
Jesus and scourged him. And the soldiers 
platting a crown of thorns, put it upon his 
head ; and they put on him a purple garment. 
And they came to him, and said, Hail, king of 
the Jews ; and they gave him blows. Pilate 
therefore went forth again, and said to them, 
Behold, I bring him forth unto you, that you 
may know that I find no cause in him. (Jesus 
therefore came forth, bearing the crown of 
thorns and the purple garment.) And he saith 
to them, Behold the man. When the chief 
priests therefore and the servants had seen 
him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, cru- 
cify him ! Pilate saith to them, Take him 
you, and crucify Mm : for I find no cause in 
him. The Jews answered him, We have a 
law, and according to the law he ought to die, 
because he made himself the Son of God. 
When Pilate therefore had heard this saying, 
he feared the more. And he entered into the 
hall again, and he said to Jesus, Whence art 
thou ? But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate 



56 EPISTLES AND GOSPELS, 



therefore saith to Mm, Speakest tliou not to 
me ? Knowest thou not that I have power to 
crucify thee, and I have power to release thee? 
Jesus answered, Thou shouldst not have any 
power against me, unless it were given thee 
from above. Therefore he that hath deliv- 
ered me to thee, hath the greater sin. And 
from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him. 
But the Jews cried out, saying, If thou release 
this man, thou art not Caesar's friend. For 
whosoever maketh himself a king, speaketh 
against Caesar. Now when Pilate had heard 
these words, he brought Jesus forth, and sat 
down in the j udgment-seat, in the place that is 
called Lithostrotos ; and in Hebrew, Gabbatha. 
And it was the parasceve of the pasch, about 
the sixth hour : and he saith to the J ews, Be- 
hold, your king. But they cried out, Away with 
him, away with him, crucify him ! Pilate 
saith to them, Shall I crucify your king? 
The chief priests answered, We have no king 
but Caesar. Then, therefore, he delivered him 
to them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, 
and led him forth : and bearing his own cross, 
he went forth to that place which is called 
Calvary, but in Hebrew, Golgotha : where 
they crucified him, and with him two others, 
one on each side, and Jesus in the midst. And 
Pilate wrote a title also, and he put it upon 
the cross, and the writing was : Jesus of 
Nazareth, the King of the Jews. This title 
therefore many of the Jews did read, because 
the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh 
to the city : and it was written in Hebrew, in 
Greek, and in Latin. Then the chief priests 



GOOD FRIDAY. 



57 



of the Jews said to Pilate, Write not, the King 
of the Jews, but that he said, I am the King 
of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have 
written I have written. Then the soldiers, 
when they had crucified him, took his gar- 
ments (and they made four parts, to every 
soldier a part), and also his coat. Now the 
coat was without seam, woven from the top 
throughout. They said then one to another, 
Let us not cut it, but let us cast lots for it, 
whose it shall be ; that the scripture might be 
fulfilled, saying, They have parted my gar- 
ments among them, and upon my vesture they 
have cast lot. And the soldiers indeed did 
these things. Now there stood by the cross 
of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, 
Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdelene. When 
Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disci- 
ple standing whom he loved, he saith to his 
mother, Woman, behold thy son. After that, 
he saith to the disciple, Behold thy mother. 
And from that hour the disciple took her to 
his own. Afterward, Jesus knowing that all 
things were now accomplished, that the scrip- 
ture might be fulfilled said, I thirst. Now 
there was a vessel set there full of vinegar : 
and they put a sponge full of vinegar about 
hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus 
therefore had taken the vinegar, he said, It is 
consummated. And bowing his head, he gave 
up the ghost. 

{Here all kneel, and pause.'] 

Then the Jews (because it was the para- 
sceve), that the bodies might not remain upon 



53 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



the cross on the sabbath-day (for that was a 
great sabbath-day), besought Pilate that their 
legs might be broken, and that they might be 
taken away. The soldiers therefore came; and 
they broke the legs of the first, and of the 
other that was crucified with him. But after 
they were come to Jesus, when they saw 
that he was already dead, they did not 
break his legs. But one of the soldiers, with 
a spear, opened his side, and immediately 
there came out blood and water. And he that 
saw it hath given testimony, and his testimony 
is true : and he knoweth that he saith true, 
that you also may believe. For these things 
were done that the scripture might be ful- 
filled, You shall not break a bone of him. 
And again another scripture saith, They shall 
look on him whom they pierced. 

[Munda cor meum.] 

And after these things, Joseph of Arimathea 
(because he was a disciple of Jesus ; but 
secretly, for fear of the Jews) besought Pilate 
that he might take away the body of Jesus. 
And Pilate gave leave. He came therefore, 
and took away the body of Jesus. And Mco- 
demus also came, he who at the first came to 
Jesus by night ; bringing a mixture of myrrh 
and aloes, about an hundred pounds weight. 
They took therefore the bcdy of Jesus, and 
bound it in linen cloths, with the spices, as 
the manner of the J ews is to bury. Now there 
was, in the place where he was crucified, 
a garden ; and in the garden a new sepul- 
chre, wherein no man yet had been laid. 



LOW SUNDAY. 



59 



There, therefore, because of the parasceve of 
the Jews, they laid Jesus, because the sepul- 
chre was nigh at hand. 

Easter Sunday. 

Epist. 1 Cor. v. 7-8. — Brethren, purge out 
the old leaven, that you may be a new paste, 
as you are unleavened : for Christ our pasch is ' 
sacrificed. Therefore let us feast, not with 
the old leaven, or with the leaven of malice 
and wickedness, but with the unleavened 
bread of sincerity and truth. 

Gosp. Mark xvi. 1-7.— At that time, Mary 
Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James and 
Salome, brought sweet spices, that, coming, 
they might anoint Jesus. And very early in 
the morning, the first day of the week, they 
came to the sepulchre, the sun being now 
risen : and they said one to another, Who 
shall roll us back the stone from the door 
of the sepulchre? And looking, they saw 
the stone rolled back, for it was very great. 
And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a 
young man sitting on the right side, clothed 
with a white robe, and they were astonished : 
who saith to them, Be not affrighted ; you 
seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified : 
he is risen, he is not here ; behold the place 
where they laid him : but go, tell his disciples, 
and Peter, that he goeth before you into Grali- 
lee : there you shall see him, as he told you. 

Low Sunday, or First Sunday after Easter. 

Epist. 1 John v. 4-10. — Dearly beloved, 
whatsoever is born of God overcometh the 



60 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



world ; and this is the victory which over- 
cometh the world, our faith. Who is he that 
overcorneth the world, but he that believeth 
that Jesus is the Son of God ? This is he that 
came by water and blood, Jesus Christ ; not 
by water only, but by water and blood. And 
it is the spirit which testifieth that Christ is 
the truth. And there are three who give tes- 
timony in heaven ; the Father, the Word, 
and the Holy Ghost ; and these three are one. 
And there are three that give testimony on 
earth ; the spirit, and the water, and the 
blood : and these three are one. If we receive 
the testimony of men, the testimony of God is 
greater ; for this is the testimony of God 
which is greater, because he hath testified of 
his Son. He that believeth in the Son of God 
hath the testimony of God in himself. 

Gosp. John xx. 19-81. — At that time, when 
it was late that same day, the first of the 
week, and the doors were shut, where the dis- 
ciples were gathered together, for fear of the 
Jews, Jesus came, and stood in the midst, and 
said to them, Peace be to you. And when he 
had said this, he showed them his hands and 
his side. The disciples therefore were glad, 
when they saw the Lord. He said therefore 
to them again, Peace be to you : as the Father 
hath sent me, I also send you. When he had 
said this, he breathed on them ; and he said 
to them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost ; whose 
sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them ; 
and whose sins you shall retain, they are re- 
tained, (-v. 24.) Now Thomas, one of the 
twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with 



SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 61 

them wlien Jesus came. The other disciples 
therefore said to him, We have seen the Lord. 
But he said to them, Except I shall see in his 
hands the print of the nails, and put mv fin- 
ger into the place of the nails, and put my 
hand into his side, I will not believe. And 
after eight days, again his disciples were with- 
in, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, 
the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, 
and said, Peace be to you. Then he saith to 
Thomas, Put in thy finger hither, and see my 
hands, and bring hither thy hand, and put it 
into my side ; and be not faithless, but believ- 
ing. Thomas answered, and. said to him, My 
Lord and my God. Jesus saith to him, Be- 
cause thou hast seen me Thomas, thou hast 
believed : blessed are they that have not seen, 
and have believed. (*) Many other signs also 
did Jesus in the sight of his disciples which 
are not written in this book. But these are 
written, that you may believe that Jesus is 
the Christ the Son of God ; and that, believing, 
you may have life in his name. 

Second Sunday after Easter. 

Epist. 1 Pet. ii. 21-25. — Dearly beloved, 
Christ suffered for us, leaving you an example 
that you should follow his steps. Who did 
no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. 
Who, when he was reviled, did not revile ; 
when he suffered, he threatened not ; but de- 
livered himself to him that judged him un- 
justly : who his own self bore our sins in his 
body upon the tree ; that we being dead to 



62 



EPISTLES AXD GOSPELS. 



sins, should live to justice : by whose stripes 
you were healed. For you were as sheep go- 
ing astray : but you are now converted to the 
shepherd and bishop of your souls. 

Gosp. John x. 11-16.— At that time, Jesus 
said to the Pharisees, I am the good shepherd. 
The good shepherd giveth his life for the 
sheep. But the hireling, and he that is not 
the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, 
seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, 
and flieth : and the wolf catcheth, and 
scattereth the sheep : and the hireling flieth, 
because he is a hireling, and he hath no care 
for the sheep. I am the good shepherd ; and 
I know mine, and mine know me. As the 
Father knoweth me, and I know the 
Father ; and I lay down my life for my sheep. 
And other sheep I have, that are not of this 
fold : them also I must bring, and they shall 
hear my voice, and there shall be one fold 
and one shepherd. 

Third Sunday after Easter. 

(PATRONAGE OF 5. JOSEPH. 

Less. Gen. xlix. 22-26. — Joseph is a grow- 
ing son, a growing son and comely to behold 
the daughters run to and fro upon the wall. 
But they that held darts provoked him, and 
quarreled with him, and envied him. His 
bow rested upon the strong, and the bands of 
his arms and his hands were loosed, by the 
hands of the mighty one of Jacob : thence he 
came forth a pastor, the stone of Israel. The 
God of thy father shall be thy helper, and the 



THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 



03 



Almighty shall bless thee with the blessings 
of heaven above, with the blessings of the 
deep that lieth beneath, with the blessings of 
the breasts and of the womb. The blessings 
of thy father are strengthened with the bless- 
ings of his fathers : until the desire of the 
everlasting hills shall come ; may they be 
upon the head of Joseph, and upon the crown 
of the Nazarite among his brethren. 

Gosp. Luke iii. 21-23.— At that time, it 
came to pass, when all the people were bap- 
tized, that Jesus also being baptized and pray- 
ing, heaven was opened : and the Holy Ghost 
descended in a bodily shape as a dove upon 
him : and a voice came from heaven : Thou 
art my beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased. 
And Jesus himself was beginning about the 
age of thirty years : being (as it was supposed) 
the son of Joseph. 

Epist. 1 Pet. ii. 11-19.— Dearly beloved, I 
beseech you as strangers and pilgrims to re- 
frain yourselves from carnal desires, which 
war against the soul ; having your conversa- 
tion good among the Gentiles ; that whereas 
they speak against you as evildoers, they may, 
by the good works which they shall behold in 
you, glorify God in the day of visitation. Be 
ye subject therefore to every human creature 
for God's sake ; whether it be to the king as 
excelling, or to governors as sent by him for 
the punishment of evil doers and for the praise 
of the good ; for so is the will of God, that by 
doing well you may put to silence the ignor- 
ance of foolish men : as free, and not as mak- 
ing liberty a cloak for malice, but as the ser- 



64 EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



rants of God. Honor all men ; love the 
brotherhood ; fear God ; honor the king. Ser- 
vants, be subject to yonr masters with all 
fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also 
to the froward. For this is thankswortky, in 
Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Gosp. Johnxvi. 16-22.— At that time, Jesus 
said to his disciples, A little while, and now 
you shall not see me ; and again a little while, 
and you shall see me ; because I go to the 
Father. Then some of his disciples said one 
to another, What is this that he saith to us, 
A little while, and you shall not see me ; and 
again a little while, and you shall see me ; 
and because I go to the Father ? They said 
therefore, What is this that he saith, A little 
while ? we know not what he speaketh. And 
Jesus knew that they had a mind to ask him : 
and he said to them, Of this do you inquire 
among yourselves because I said, A little while, 
and you shall not see me ; and again a little 
while, and you shall see me ? Amen, amen, 
I say to you, that you shall lament and weep, 
but the world shall rejoice ; and you shall be 
made sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be 
turned into joy. A woman, when she is in 
labor, hath sorrow, because her hour is come ; 
but when she hath brought forth the child, 
she remembereth no more the anguish, for 
joy that a man is born into the world. So also 
you now indeed have sorrow, but I will see you 
again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your 
joy no man shall take from you. 



FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 65 



Fourth Sunday after Easter. 

Epist. James i. 17-21.— Dearly beloved, 
every best gift, and every perfect gift, is from 
above, coming down from the Father of lights, 
with whom there is no change, nor shadow 
of alteration. For his own will hath he be- 
gotten us by the word of truth, that we 
might be some beginning of his creatures. 
You know, my dearest brethren ; and let every 
man be swift to hear, but slow to speak, and 
slow to anger. For the anger of man worketh 
not the justice of God. Wherefore, cast- 
ing away all uncleanness, and abundance of 
naughtiness, with meekness receive the en- 
grafted word, which is able to save your 
souls. 

(xosp. John xvi. 5-14 — At that time, Jesus 
said to his disciples, I go to him that sent me ; 
and none of you asketh me, Whither goest 
thou ? But because I have spoken these things 
to you, sorrow hath filled your earth. But I 
tell you the truth : it is expedient to you that 
I go, for if I go not, the Paraclete will not 
come to you ; but if I go, I will send him to 
you. And when he is come, he will convince 
the world of sin, and of justice, and of judg- 
ment. . Of sin, because they believed not in 
me ; and of justice, because I go to the Father, 
and you shall see me no longer ; and of judg- 
ment, because the prince of this world is 
judged. I have yet many things to say to you, 
but you cannot bear them now : but when he, 
the Spirit of Truth, is come, he will teach you 

5 



66 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



all truth ; for he shall not speak of himself ; 
but what things soever he shall hear, he shall 
speak, and the things that are to come he shall 
show you. He shall glorify me, because he 
shall receive of mine, and shall show it to 
you. 

Fifth Sunday after Easter. 

Epist. James i. 22-27.— Dearly beloved, be 
ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, 
deceiving your own selves. For if a man be 
a hearer of the word and not a doer, he shall 
be compared to a man beholding his own 
countenance in a glass. For he beheld him. 
self and went his way, and presently forgot 
what manner of man he was. But he that 
hath looked into the perfect law of liberty, 
and hath continued therein, not becoming a 
forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this 
man shall be blessed in his deed. And if 
any man think himself to be religious, not 
bridling his tongue, but deceiving his own 
heart, this man's religion is vain. Eeligion 
clean and undefiled before God and the Father 
is this : to visit the fatherless and widows in 
their tribulation, and to keep one's self un- 
spotted from this world. 

Gosp. John xvi. 23-30. — At that time, Jesus 
saith to his disciples, Amen, amen, I say to 
you, if you ask the Father anything in my 
name, he will give it you. Hitherto you have 
not asked anything in my name : ask, and you 
shall receive, that your joy may be full. 
These things I have spoken to you in proverbs : 
the hour cometh when I will no more speak 



ASCENSION DAY. 



67 



to you in proverbs, but will show you plainly 
of the Father. In that day, you shall ask in 
my name ; and I say not to you that I will 
ask the Father for you, for the Father himself 
loveth you, because you have loved me, and 
have believed that I came out from God. I 
came forth from the Father, and am come into 
the world : again I leave the world, and I go 
to the Father. His disciples say to him, 
Behold, now thou speakest plainly, and speak - 
est no proverb. Now we know that thou 
knowest all things, and thou needest not that 
any man should ask thee : by this we believe 
that thou comest forth from God. 

Ascension Bay, 

Less. Acts i. 1-11. — The former treatise I 
made, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus 
began to do and to teach, until the day on 
which, giving commandments by the Holy 
Ghost to the apostles whom he had chosen, he 
was taken up. To whom also he showed him- 
self alive after his passion, by many proofs, 
for forty days appearing to them, and speak- 
ing of the kingdom of God. And eating to- 
gether with them, he commanded them that 
they should not depart from Jerusalem, but 
should wait for the promise of the Father, 
which you have heard (saith he) by my mouth: 
for John indeed baptized with water, but you 
shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not 
many days hence. They therefore who were 
come together, asked him, saying, Lord, wilt 
thou at this ti_ne restore the kingdom to 



6S 



EPISTLES AXD GOSPELS. 



Israel ? But lie said to them, It is not for you 
to know the times or moments which the 
Father hath put in his own power ; but you 
shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost 
coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses 
to me in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Sa- 
maria, and even to the uttermost part of the 
earth. And when he had said these things, 
while they looked on he was raised up, and a 
cloud received him out of their sight. And 
while they were beholding him going up to 
heaven, behold, two men stood by them in 
white garments, who also said, Ye men of 
Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven ? 
This Jesus who is taken up from you into 
heaven, shall so come as you have seen him 
goins: into heaven. 

Gosp. Mark xvi. 14-20.— At that time, 
Jesus appeared to the eleven as they were at 
table : and he upbraided them with their in- 
credulity and hardness of heart, because they 
did not believe them who had seen him after 
he was risen again. And he said to them 
(* v. 15), Go ye into the whole world, and 
preach the gospel to every creature. He that 
believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but 
he that believeth not shall be condemned. 
And these signs shall follow them that be- 
lieve. In my name they shall cast out devils ; 
they shall speak with new tongues ; they shall 
take up serpents ; and if they shall drink any 
deadly thing, it shall not hurt them ; they 
shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they 
shall recover. (*) And the Lord Jesus, after 
he had spoken to them, was taken up into 



OCTAVE SUNDAY. 



09 



heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God. 
But they going forth, preached everywhere, 
the Lord working withal, and confirming the 
word with signs that followed. 

Sunday witJrin the Octave of the Ascension. 

Epist. 1 Pet. iv. 7-11. — Dearly beloved, be 
prudent, and watch in prayers. But before 
all things, have a constant mutual charity 
among yourselves ; for charity covereth a 
multitude of sins. Using hospitality one to- 
ward another without murmuring. As every 
man hath received grace, ministering the 
same one to another, as good stewards of the 
manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let 
him speak as the words of God. If any man 
minister, let him do it as of the power which 
God administereth ; that in all things God 
may be honored through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. 

Gosp. John xv. 26 ; xvi. 4. — At that time, 
Jesus said to his disciples, When the Para- 
clete cometh, whom I will send you from the 
Father, the Spirit of Truth, who proceedeth 
from the Father, he shall give testimony of 
me ; and you shall give testimony, because 
you are with me from the beginning. These 
things have I spoken to you, that you may not 
be scandalized. They will put you out oi the 
synagogues ; yea, the hour cometh, that who- 
soever killeth you will think that he doth a 
service to God. And these things will they 
do to you, because they have not known the 
Father, nor me. But these things I have told 



TO 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



you, that, when the hour shall come, you may 
remember that I told you. 

Whit Sunday. 

Less. Acts ii. 1-11.— When the days of 
Pentecost were accomplished, they were alto- 
gether in one place ; and suddenly there came 
a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind 
coming, and it filled the whole house where 
they were sitting. And there appeared to 
them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it 
sat upon every one of them ; and they were 
all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began 
to speak with divers tongues, according as the 
Holy Ghost gave them to speak. Now there 
were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, devout men 
of every nation under heaven. And when 
this was noised abroad, the multitude came 
together, and were confounded in mind, be- 
cause that every man heard them speak in his 
own tongue : and they were all amazed, and 
wondered, saying, Behold, are not all these 
that speak Galileans? And how have we 
heard every man our own tongue wherein we 
were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Ela- 
mites, and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, 
and Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, 
and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Libya 
about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews 
also, and proselytes, Cretes, and Arabians : we 
have heard them speak in our own tongues 
the wonderful works of God. 

Gosp. John xiv. 23-81. — At that time, Jesus 
said to his disciples, If any one love me he 



TRINITY SUNDAY. 



71 



will keep my word, and my Father will love 
Mm, and we will come to him, and will make 
our abode with him. He that loveth me not, 
keepeth not my words : and the word which 
you have heard is not mine, but the Father's, 
who sent me. These things have I spoken to 
you, abiding with you: but the Paraclete, the 
Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my 
name, he will teach you all things, and bring 
all things to your mind, whatsoever I shall 
have said to you. Peace I leave with you, my 
peace I give unto you ; not as the world giv- 
eth, do I give unto you. Let not your heart 
be troubled, nor let it be afraid. You have 
heard that I said to you, I go away, and I 
come unto you. If you loved me, you would 
indeed be glad, because I go to the Father ; 
for the Father is greater than I. And now I 
have told you before it come to pass, that 
when it shall come to pass you may believe. 
I will not now speak many things with you ; 
for the prince of this world cometh, and in me 
he hath not anything. But that the world 
may know that I love the Father, and as 
the Father hath given me commandment, so 
do I. 

Trinity Sunday. 

Epist. Rom. xi. 33-36.— 0 the depth of the 
riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of 
God ! How incomprehensible are his judg- 
ments, and how unsearchable his ways ! For 
who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or 
who hath been his counselor ? Or who hath 



72 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



first given to him, and recompense shall be 
made him ? For of him, and by him, and in 
him, are all things : to him be glory forever. 
Amen. 

Gosp. Matt, xxviii. 18-20. — And Jesus com- 
ing, spoke to them, saying, All power is given 
to me in heaven and in earth. Going, there- 
fore, teach ye all nations, baptizing them in 
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of 
the Holy Ghost ; teaching them to observe all 
things whatsoever I have commanded you. 
And behold, I am with you all days, even to 
the consummation of the world. 

Last Gosp. Luke vi. 36-42.— At that time, 
Jesus said to his disciples, Be ye merciful, as 
your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and 
you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and 
you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and 
you shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be 
given to you : good measure and pressed 
down, and shaken together and running over, 
. shall they give into your bosom. For with 
the same measure that you shall mete withal 
it shall be measured to you again. And he 
spoke also to them a similitude : Can the blind 
lead the blind ? do they not both fall into the 
ditch ? The disciple is not above his master ; 
but every one shall be perfect, if he be as his 
master. And why seest thou the mote in thy 
brother's eye, but the beam that is in thy 
own eye thou considerest not ? or how canst 
thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull the 
mote out of thy eye, when thou thyself seest 
not the beam in thy own eye ? Hypocrite, cast 
first the beam out of thy own eye, and then 



TRINITY SUNDAY. 



73 



shalt thou see clearly to take out the mote 
from thy brother's eye. 

Epist. of Sund. 1 John iv. 8-21.— He that 
loveth not, knoweth not God: for God is 
charity. By this hath the charity of God ap- 
peared toward us, because God hath sent 
his only-begotten Son into the world, that 
we may live by him. In this is charity : not 
as though we had loved God, but because he 
hath first loved us, and sent his Son to be a 
propitiation for our sins. My dearest, if God 
hath so loved us ; we also ought to love one 
another. No man hath seen God at any time. 
If we love one another, God abideth in us, 
and his charity is perfected in us. In this we 
know that we abide in him, and he in us ; be- 
cause he hath given us of his spirit. And we 
have seen and do testify, that the Father hath 
sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world. 
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son 
of God, God abideth in him, and he in God. 
And we have known, and have believed the 
charity, which God hath to us. God is char- 
ity : and he that abideth in charity, abideth in 
God, and God in him. In this is the charity 
of God perfected with us, that we may have 
confidence in the day of judgment : because 
as he is, we also are in this world. Fear is 
not in charity : but perfect charity casteth out 
fear, because fear hath pain. And he that 
feareth, is not perfected in charity. Let us 
therefore love God, because God first hath 
loved us. If any man say, I love God, and 
hateth his brother ; he is a liar. For he that 
loveth not his brother, whom he seeth, how 



74 EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



can he love God, whom he seeth not ? And 
this commandment we have from God, that he 
who loveth God, love also his brother. 

Corpus Christi. 

Epist. 1 Cor. xi. 23-29.— Brethren, I have 
received of the Lord, that which also I have 
delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus, the 
same night in which he was betrayed, took 
bread, and giving thanks, broke, and said, 
Take ye, and eat ; this is my body which shall 
be delivered for yon ; this do for the com- 
memoration of me. In like manner also the 
chalice, after he had supped, saying, This 
chalice is the new testament in my blood ; 
this do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the 
commemoration of me. For as often as you 
shall eat this bread, and drink this chalice, 
you shall show the death of the Lord until he 
come. Therefore, whosoever shall eat this 
bread, or drink of the chalice of the Lord un- 
worthily, shall be guilty of the body and of 
the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove 
himself ; and so let him eat of that bread, and 
drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and 
drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh 
judgment to himself, not discerning the body 
of the Lord. 

Gosp. John vi. 56-59. — At that time, Jesus 
said to the multitudes of the Jews : My flesh 
is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 
He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my 
blood, abideth in me, and I in him. As the 
living Father hath sent me, and I live by 



SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 75 

the Father, so he that eateth me, the same 
also shall live by me : This is the bread that 
came down from heaven. Xot as your fathers 
did eat manna and are dead. He that eateth 
this bread shall live forever. 

Second Sunday after Pentecost. 

Epist. 1 John iii. 13-18. — Dearly beloved, 
wonder not if the world hate you. We know 
that we have passed from death to life, be- 
cause we love the brethren. He that loveth 
not abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his 
brother is a murderer : and you know that no 
murderer hath eternal life abiding in himself. 
In this we have known the charity of God, 
because he hath laid down his life for us : and 
we ought to lay down our lives for the breth- 
ren. He that hath the substance of this world, 
and shall see his brother in need, and shut up 
his bowels from him, how doth the charity of 
God abide in him ? My little children, let us 
not love in word nor in tongue, but in deed 
and in truth. 

Gosp. Lukexiv. 16-24. — At that time, Jesus 
spoke to the Pharisees this parable : A certain 
man made a great supper, and invited many. 
And he sent his servant, at the hour of sup- 
per, to say to them that were invited, that they 
should come, for now all things are ready. 
And they began all at once to make excuse. 
The first said to him, I have bought a farm, 
and I must needs go out, and see it ; I pray 
thee hold me excused. And another said, I 
have bought five yoke of oxen, and 1 go to try 



76 EPISTLES AKD GOSPELS. 

theni ; I pray thee hold me excused. And 
another said, I have married a wife, and there- 
fore I cannot come. And the servant return- 
ing, told these things to his lord. Then the 
master of the house being angry, said to his 
servant, Go out quickly into the streets and 
lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, 
and the feeble, and the blind, and the lame. 
And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou 
hast commanded, and yet there is room. And 
the lord Laid to the servant, Go out into the 
highways and hedges, and compel them to 
come in, that my house may be filled. But I 
say unto you, that none of these men that 
were invited shall taste of my supper. 

Third Sunday after Pentecost. 

(feast of the sacked heart OF JESUS.) 

Less. Isaiah xii. 1-6. — I will give thanks to 
thee, O Lord, for thou wast angry with me ; 
thy wrath is turned away, and thou hast com- 
forted me. Behold, God is my Saviour ; I 
will deal confidently, and will not fear ; be- 
cause the Lord is' my strength^ and my 
praise, and he is become my salvation. You 
shall draw waters with joy out of the Saviour's 
fountains : and you shall say in that day : 
Praise ye the Lord, and call upon his name : 
make his works known among the people : 
remember that his name is high. Sing ye to 
the Lord, for he hath done great things : show 
this forth in all the earth. Rejoice, and 
praise, 0 thou habitation of Sion : for great is 



THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 77 

he that is in the midst of thee, the Holy One 
of Israel. 

Gosp. John xix. 10-35. — (As on Friday after 
Sexageshna, beginning at \ v. 31.) 

Epist. 1 Pet, v. 6-11.— Dearly beloved, be 
you humbled, therefore, under the mighty 
hand of God ; that he may exalt you in the 
time of visitation : casting all your solicitude 
upon him ; for he hath care of you. Be sober, 
and watch : because your adversary the devil, 
as a roaring lion, goeth about, seeking whom 
he may devour : whom resist ye, strong in 
faith ; knowing that the same affliction be- 
falleth your brethren who are in the world. 
But the God of all grace, who hath called us 
unto his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, when 
you have suffered a little, will himself per- 
fect, and confirm, and establish you. To him 
be glory and dominion forever and ever. 
Amen. 

Gosp. Luke xv. 1-10.— At that time, the 
publicans and sinners drew near unto Jesus to 
hear him : and the Pharisees and scribes mur- 
mured, saying, This man receiveth sinners 
and eateth with them. And he spoke to them 
this parable, saying, What man of you hath a 
hundred sheep, and if he shall lose one of 
them, doth he not leave the ninety-nine in the 
desert, -and go after that which was lost, until 
he find it ? And when he hath found it, lay 
it upon his shoulders rejoicing, and coming 
home, call together his friends and neighbors, 
saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I 
have found my sheep that was lost ? I say to 
you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven 



■78 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



upon one sinner that doth penance, more than 
upon ninety-nine just who need not penance. 
Or what woman having ten groats, if she lose 
one groat, doth not light a candle, and sweep 
the house, and seek diligently until she find 
it ? And when she hath found it, call together 
her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice 
with me, because I have found the groat 
which I had lost ? So I say to you, there shall 
be joy before the angels of God upon one sin- 
ner doing penance. 

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost. 

Epist. Eom. viii. 18-23.— Brethren, the 
sufferings of this time are not worthy to be 
compared to the glory to come, that shall be 
revealed to us. For the expectation of the 
creature waiteth for the revelation of the sons 
of God. For the creature was- made subject 
to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him 
that made it subject, in hope : because the 
creature also itself shall be delivered from the 
servitude of corruption, into the liberty of the 
glory of the children of God. For we know 
that every creature groaneth, and travaileth in 
pain, even till now. And not only it, but our- 
selves also, who have the first fruits of the 
Spirit, even we ourselves groan within our- 
selves, waiting for the adoption of the sons of 
God, the redemption of our body. 

Gosp. Luke v. 1-11. — At that time, when the 
multitude pressed upon Jesus, to hear the word 
of God, he stood by the lake of Genesareth. 
And he saw two ships standing by the lake ; 



FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 79 

"but tlie fishermen were gone out of them, and 
were washing their nets ; and going up into 
one of the ships that was Simon's, he desired 
him to draw back a little from the land : and 
sitting, he taught the multitudes out of the 
ship. Now when he had ceased to speak, he 
said to Simon, Launch out into the deep, and 
let down your nets for a draught. And Simon, 
answering, said to him, Master, we have la- 
bored all the night, and have taken nothing, 
but at thy word I will let down the net. And 
when they had done this, they inclosed a very 
great multitude of fishes; and their net broke: 
and they beckoned to their partners that were 
in the other ship, that they should come and 
help them ; and they came and filled both the 
ships, so that they were almost sinking. 
Which when Simon Peter saw, he fell down 
at Jesus's knees, saying, Depart from me, for I 
am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was wholly 
astonished, and all that were with him at the 
* draught of fishes which they had taken : and 
so were also James and John, the sons of Zeb- 
edee, who were Simon's partners. And Jesus 
saith to Simon, Fear not : from henceforth 
thou shalt catch men. And having brought 
their ships to land, leaving all things, they 
followed him. 

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost. 

Epist. 1 Pet. iii. 8-15. — Dearly beloved, be 
ye all of one mind, having compassion one of 
another, being lovers of the brotherhood, 
merciful, modest, humble ; not rendering evil 



so 



EPISTLES AXD GOSPELS. 



for evil, nor railing for railing, but contrari- 
wise, blessing : for unto this are you called, 
that you may inherit a blessing. For he that 
will love life, and see good days, let him re- 
frain his tongue from evil, and his lips that 
they speak no guile. Let him decline from 
evil, and do good ; let him seek after peace, 
and pursue it ; because the eyes of the Lord 
are upon the just, and his ears unto their 
prayers, but the countenance of the Lord upon 
them that do evil things. And who is he that 
can hurt you, if you be zealous of good ? But 
if also you sutler anything for justice' sake, 
blessed are ye. And be not afraid of their 
fear, and be not troubled : but sanctify the 
Lord Christ in your hearts. 

Gosp. Matt. V. 20-24.— At that time, Jesus 
said to his disciples, Except your justice 
abound more than that of the scribes and 
Pharisees, you shall not enter into the king- 
dom of heaven. You have heard that it was 
said to them of old, Thou shalt not kill : and 
whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the 
judgment. But I say to you, that whosoever 
is angry with his brother, shall be in danger 
of the judgment ; and whosoever shall say to 
his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the 
council ; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, 
shall be in danger of hell fire. If therefore thou 
offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou re- 
member that thy brother hath anything against 
thee, leave there thy offering before the altar, 
and go first to be reconciled to thy brother ; 
and then coming, thou shalt offer thy gift. 



SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 81 



Sixth Sunday after Pentecost. 

Epist. Rom. vi. 3-11. — Brethren, all we 
who are baptized in Christ Jesus, are baptized 
in his death. For we are buried together 
with him by baptism unto death ; that as 
Christ is risen from the dead by the glory of 
the Father, so we also may walk in newness 
of life. For if we have been planted together 
in the likeness of his death, we shall also be 
in the likeness of his resurrection. Knowing 
this, that our old man is crucified with him, 
that the body of sin may be destroyed to the 
end, that we may serve sin no longer. For 
he that is dead is justified from sin. Now if 
we be dead with Christ, we believe that we 
shall live also together with Christ. Know- 
ing that Christ, rising again from the dead, 
dieth now no more, death shall no more have 
dominion over him. For in that he died to 
sin, he died once : but in that he liveth, he 
liveth unto God. So do you also reckon that 
you are dead indeed to sin, but alive unto 
God, in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Gosp. Mark viii. 1-9. — At that time, when 
there was a great multitude with Jesus, and 
had nothing to eat, calling his disciples to- 
gether, he saith to them, I have compassion 
on the multitude, for behold they have now 
been with me three days, and have nothing to 
eat ; and if I shall send them away fasting to 
their home, they will faint in the way : for 
some of them came from afar off. And his 
disciples answered him, From whence can any 



82 EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 

one fill them here with bread in the wilder- 
ness ? And he asked them, How many loaves 
have ye ? who said, Seven. And he com- 
manded the people to sit down on the ground. 
And taking the seven loaves, giving thanks, he 
broke, and gave to his disciples to set before 
them : and they set them before the people. 
And they had a few little fishes, and he 
blessed them, and commanded them to be set 
before them. And they did eat, and were 
filled ; and they took up that which was left 
of the fragments, seven baskets : and they 
that had eaten were about four thousand ; and 
he sent them away. 

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost. 

Epist. Rom. vi. 19-23. — Brethren, I speak a 
human thing because of the infirmity of your 
flesh ; for as you have yielded your members 
to serve un cleanness and iniquity unto iniquity, 
so now yield your members to serve justice, 
unto sanctification. For when you were the 
servants of sin, you were free from justice. 
What fruit therefore had you then in those 
things, of which you are now ashamed ? For 
the end of them is death. But now, being 
made free from sin, and become servants to 
God, you have your fruit unto sanctification, 
and the end life everlasting. For the wages 
of sin is death. But the grace of God, life 
everlasting, in Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Gosp. Matt. vii. 15-21. — At that time, Jesus 
said to his disciples, Beware of false prophets, 
who come to you in the clothing of sheep, 



EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 83 

but inwardly they are ravening wolves. By 
their fruits you shall know them. Do men 
gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles ? 
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good 
fruit, and the evil tree bringeth forth evil 
fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil 
fruit, neither can an evil tree bring forth good 
fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good 
fruit shall be cut down, and shall be cast into 
the fire. Wherefore by their fruits you shall 
know them. Xot every one that saith to me, 
Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of 
heaven ; but he that doth the will of my Father 
who is in heaven, he shall enter into the king, 
dom of heaven. 

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost. 

Epist. Rom. viii. 12-17. — Brethren, we are 
debtors, not of the flesh, to live according to 
the flesh ; for if you live according to the flesh, 
you shall die ; but if by the spirit you mortify 
the deeds of the flesh, you shall live. For, 
whosoever are led by the spirit of God, they 
are the sons of God. For you have not received 
the spirit of bondage again in fear, but you 
have received the spirit of adoption of sons, 
whereby we cry, Abba (Father). For the Spirit 
himself giveth testimony to our spirit, that 
we are the sons of God ; and if sons, heirs 
also ; heirs indeed of God, and joint -heirs with 
Christ. 

Gosp. Luke xvi. 1-9. — At that time, Jesus 
spoke to his disciples this parable, There was 
a certain rich man who had a steward ; and 



84 EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 

the same was accused unto him that he had 
wasted his goods : and he called him, and 
said to him, How is it that I hear this of thee ? 
give an account of thy stewardship, for now 
thou canst be steward no longer. And the 
steward said within himself, What shall I do, 
because my lord taketh away from me the 
stewardship ? To dig I am not able : to beg I 
am ashamed. I know what I will do, that 
when I shall be removed from the steward- 
ship, they may receive me into their houses. 
Therefore calling together every one of his 
lord's debtors, he said to the first, How much 
dost thou owe my lord? But he said, A 
hundred barrels of oil. And he said to him, 
Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write 
fifty. Then he said to another, And how 
much dost thou owe ? Who said, A hundred 
quarters of wheat. He said to him, Take thy 
bill, and write eighty. And the lord commend- 
ed the unjust steward, forasmuch as he had 
done wisely ; for the children of this world 
are wiser in their generation than the children 
of light. And I say to you, Make unto you 
friends of the mammon of iniquity, that when 
you shall fail, they may receive you into ever- 
lasting dwellings. 

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost. 

Epist. 1 Cor. x. 6-13. — Brethren, let us not 
covet evil things as they also coveted. Neither 
become ye idolaters, as some of them : as it is 
written : The people sat down to eat and drink, 
and rose up to play. Neither let us commit 



NLJsTH STJXDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 85 

fornication, as some of them committed fornica- 
tion, and there fell in one day three and twenty 
thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as 
some of them tempted, and perished by the 
serpents. Neither do you murmur, as some 
of them murmured, and were destroyed by the 
destroyer. Xow all these things happened to 
them in figure, and they are written for our 
correction, upon whom the ends of the world 
are come. Wherefore he that thinketh him- 
self to stand, let him take heed lest he fall. 
Let no temptation take hold on you, but such 
as is human : and God is faithful, who will 
not suffer you to be tempted above that which 
you are able ; but will make laso with tempta- 
tion issue that you may be able to bear it. 

Gosp. Luke xix. 41-47. — At that time, when 
Jesus drew near to Jerusalem, seeing the city, 
he wept over it, saying, If thou also hadst 
known, and that in this thy day, the things 
that are to thy peace : but now they are hidden 
from thy eyes. For the days shall come upon 
thee, and thy enemies shall cast a trench about 
thee, and compass thee round, and straiten 
thee on every side, and beat thee flat to the 
ground, and thy children who are in thee : 
and they shall not leave in thee a stone upon a 
stone, because thou hast not known the time 
of thy visitation. And entering into the tem- 
ple, he began to cast out them that sold therein, 
and them that bought, saying to them, It is 
written, My house is the house of prayer, but 
you have made it a den of thieves. And he 
was teaching daily in the temple. 



86 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



Tenth Sunday after Pentecost. 

Epist. 1 Cor. xii. 2-11. — Brethren, you know 
that, when you were heathens, you went to 
dumb idols, according as you were led. Where- 
fore I give you to understand, that no man, 
speaking by the Spirit of God, saith Anathema 
to Jesus ; and no man can say, the Lord Jesus, 
but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diver- 
sities of graces, but the same Spirit; and there 
are diversities of ministries, but the same 
Lord ; and there are diversities of operations, 
but the same God, who worketh all in all. 
And the manifestation of the Spirit is given 
to every man unto profit. To one indeed, by 
the Spirit, is given the word of wisdom ; and 
to another, the word of knowledge, according 
to the same Spirit ; to another, faith in the 
same Spirit ; to another, the grace of healing 
in one Spirit ; to another, the working of 
miracles ; to another, prophecy ; to another, 
the discerning of Spirits ; to another, divers 
kinds of tongues ; to another, interpretation 
of speeches. But all these things one and the 
same Spirit worketh, dividing to every one 
according as he will. 

Gosp. Luke xviii. 9-14. — At that time, 
Jesus spoke this parable to some who trusted 
to themselves as just, and despised others : 
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the 
one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The 
Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself : 
O God, I give thee thanks that I am not as the 
rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers ; 



ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 87 

as also is this publican. I fast twice in the 
week; I give tithes of all that I possess. And 
the publican standing* afar off, would not so 
much as lift up his eyes toward heaven, bat 
struck his breast, saying, O God, be merciful 
to me a sinner. I say to you, This man went 
down to his house justified rather than the 
other: because everyone that exalteth himself 
shall be humbled; and he that humbleth him- 
self shall be exalted. 

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost. 

Efist. 1 Cor. xv. 1-10. — Brethren, I make 
known unto you the gospel which I preached 
to you, which also you have received, and 
wherein you stand ; by which also you are 
saved, if you hold fast after what manner I 
preached unto you, unless you have believed 
in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all, 
which I also received, how that Christ died 
for our sins according to the scriptures ; and 
that he was buried, and that he rose again the 
third day, according to the scriptures ; and 
that he was seen by Cephas, and after that by 
the eleven. Then was he seen by more than 
five hundred brethren at once, of whom many 
remain until this present, and some are fallen 
asleep. After that he was seen by James, 
then by all the apostles. And last of all he 
was seen also by me, as by one born out of 
due time. For I am the least of the apostles, 
who am not worthy to be called an apostle, 
because I persecuted the church of God ; but 
by the grace of God I am what I am, and his 
grace in me hath not been void. 



83 EPISTLES AST> GOSPELS. 



Gosp. Markvii 31-37.— At tliat time, Jesus 
going out of the coasts of Tyre, came by Sidou 
to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of 
the coasts of Decapolis. And they bring to 
him one deaf and dumb, and they besought 
him that he would lay his hand upon him. 
And taking him from the multitude apart, he 
put his fingers into his ears, and spitting, he 
touched his tongue ; and looking up to hea- 
ven, he groaned, and said to him, Ephpheta, 
which is, Be thou opened : and immediately 
his ears were opened, and the string of his 
tongue was loosed, and he spoke right. And 
he charged them that they should tell no man; 
but the more he charged them, so much the 
more a great deal did they publish it ; and so 
much the more did they wonder, saying, He 
hath done all things well ; he hath made 
both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to 
speak. 

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost. 

Epist. 2 Cor. iii. 4-9. — Brethren, such con- 
fidence we have through Christ toward God. 
Not that we are sufficient to think anything of 
ourselves, as ourselves ; but our sufficiency is 
from God. Who also hath made us tit minis- 
ters of the new testament, not in the letter, 
but in the spirit : for the letter killeth, but 
the spirit quickeneth. Now if the ministra- 
tion "of death, engraven with letters upon 
stones, was glorious, so that the children of 
Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of 
Moses, for the glory of his countenance ; 
which is made void : how shall not the minis- 



TWELFTH SUXDAT AFTEK PENTECOST. 89 



tration of the spirit be rather in glory. For if 
the ministration of condemnation be glory, 
much more the ministration of justice abound- 
eth in glorr. 

Gosp. Luke x. 23-37.— At that time, Jesus 
said to his disciples, Blessed are the eyes that 
see the things which you see. For I say to 
you, that many prophets and kings have de- 
sired to see the things that you see, and have 
not seen them ; and to hecir the things that 
you hear, and have not heard them. And be- 
hold a certain lawyer stood up, tempting him, 
and saying, blaster, what must I do to possess 
eternal life ? But he said to him, What is 
written in the law ? how readest thou ? He 
answering, said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy 
God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole 
soul, and with all thy strength, and with 
all thy mind ; and thy neighbor as thyself. 
And he said to him, Thou hast answered 
rightly: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, 
willing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And 
who is my neighbor? (*v. 30.) Jesus answer- 
ing, said, A certain man went down from Je- 
rusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, 
who also stripped him, and having wounded 
him, went away, leawlng him half dead ; and 
it chanced that a certain priest went down the 
same way, and seeing him, passed by. In like 
manner also a Levite, when he was near the 
place and saw him, passed by. But a certain 
Samaritan being on his journey, came near 
him ; and seeing him, was moved with com- 
passion ; and going up to him, bound up his 
wounds, pouring in oil and wine ; and setting 



00 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



Mm upon his own beast, brought hini to an 
inn, and took care of him : and the next day 
he took out two pence, and gave to the host, 
and said,. Take care of him, and whatsoever 
thou shalt spend over and above, I, at my re- 
turn, will repay thee. Which of these three, 
in thy opinion, was neighbor to him that fell 
among robbers ? But he said, He that showed 
mercy to him. And Jesus said to him, Go, 
and do thou in like manner. 

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost. 

Epist. Gal. iii. 16-22.— Brethren, to Abra- 
ham were the promises made, and to his seed. 
He saith not, And to his seeds, as of many ; 
but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 
Xow this I say, that the testament which was 
confirmed by God, the law which was made 
after four hundred and thirty years doth not 
disannul, to make the promise of no effect. 
For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no 
more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham 
by promise. Why, then, was the law? It 
was set because of transgressions, until the 
seed should come, to whom he made the pro-. 
mise : being ordained by angels in the hand of 
a mediator. Now a mediator is not of one : but 
God is one. Was the law, then, against the 
promises of God? God forbid. For if there 
had been a law given which could give life, 
verily justice should have been by the law. 
But the scripture hath concluded all under 
sin, that the promise by the faith of Jesus 
Christ might be given to them that believe. 



FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 91 

Gosp. Luke xvii. 11-19. — At that time, as 
Jesus was going- to Jerusalem, lie passed 
through the midst of Samaria and Galilee : 
and as he entered into a certain town, there 
met him ten men that were lepers, who stood 
afar off, and lifted up their voice, saving, Jesus, 
master, have merev on us. Whom when he 
saw, he said. Go, show yourselves to the priests. 
And it came to pass, that, as they went, they 
were made clean. And one of them,, when he 
saw that he was made clean, went back, with a 
loud voice glorifying God : and he fell on his 
face before his feet, giving thanks : and this 
was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, 
Were not ten made clean ? And where are the 
nine ? There is no one found to return, and 
give glory to God, but this stranger. And he 
said to him, Arise, go thy way ; for thy faith 
hath made thee whole. 

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost. 

Epist. Gal. v. 16-24.— Brethren, walk in 
the spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts 
of the flesh : for the flesh lusteth against the 
spirit, and the spirit against the flesh ; for 
these are contrary one to another ; so that you 
do not the things that you would. But if you 
are led by the spirit, you are not under the 
law. Xow the works of the flesh are mani- 
fest ; which are, fornication, uncleanness, im- 
modesty, luxury, idolatry, witchcrafts, enmi- 
ties, contentions, emulations, wraths, quarrels, 
dissensions, sects, envies, murders, drunken- 
ness, revelings, and such like ; of the which 



92 EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



I foretell you, as I have foretold to you, that 
they who do such things shall not obtain the 
kingdom of God. But the ^fruit of the spirit 
is, charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, 
goodness, longanimity, mildness, faith, modes- 
ty, continency, chastity. Against such there 
is no law. And they that are Christ's have 
crucified their flesh with the vices and concu- 
piscences. 

Gosp. Matt. vi. 24-33.— At that time, Jesus 
said to his disciples, No man can serve two 
masters ; for either he will hate the one and 
love the other, or he will sustain the one and 
despise the other. You cannot serve God and 
Mammon. Therefore I say to you, be not so- 
licitous for your life, what you shall eat, nor 
for your body, what you shall put on. Is 
not the life more than the meat, and the body 
more than the raiment? Behold the birds of 
the air ; for they neither sow, nor do they 
reap, nor gather into barns, and your heavenly 
Father feedeth them. Are not you of much 
more value than they? And which of you, 
by taking thought, can add to his stature 
one cubit ? And for raiment, why are you 
solicitous ? Consider the lilies in the field, 
how they grow ; they labor not, neither do 
they spin, but I say to you, that not even 
Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one 
of these. Now, if God so clothe the grass of 
the field, which is to-day, and to-morrow is 
cast into the oven, how much more you, O ye 
of little faith ! Be not solicitous, therefore, 
saying, What shall we eat, or what shall we 
drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed ? for 



FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 93 



after all these things do the heathens seek. 
For your Father knoweth that you have need 
of all these things. Seek ye therefore first 
the kingdom of (rod, and his justice ; and all 
these things shall be added unto you. 

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost. 

Epist. Gal. v. 25, to vi. 10.— Brethren, if 
we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the 
Spirit. Let us not be made desirous of vain- 
glory, provoking one another, envying one 
another. Brethren, if a man be overtaken 
in any fault, you, who are spiritual, instruct 
such a one in the spirit of meekness, consid- 
ering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so you 
shall fulfill the law of Christ. For if any man 
think himself to be something, whereas he is 
nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every 
one prove his own work, and so he shall have 
glory in himself only, and not in another. For 
every one shall bear his own burden. And let 
him that is instructed in the word, communi- 
cate to him that instructeth him, in all good 
things. Be not deceived ; God is not mocked : 
for what things a man shall sow, those also 
shall he reap. For he that soweth in his 
flesh, of the flesh also shall reap corruption : 
but he that soweth in the spirit, of the spirit 
shall reap life everlasting. And in doing good, 
let us not fail ; for in due time we shall reap, 
not failing. Therefore, whilst we have time, 
let us work good to all men, but especially to 
those who are of the household of the faith. 



94 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



Gosp. Luke vii. 11-16. — At that time, Jesus 
went into a city called Nairn ; and there went 
with him his disciples, and a great multitude. 
And when he came nigh to the gate of the city, 
behold, a dead man was carried out, the only 
son of his mother, and she was a widow, and 
a great multitude of the city were with her. 
Whom when the Lord had seen, being moved 
with mercy toward her, said to her, Weep 
not. And he came near, and touched the 
bier. And they that carried it stood still. 
And he said, Young man, I say to thee, Arise : 
and he that was dead sat up, and began to 
speak. And he delivered him to his mother. 
And there came a fear on them all ; and they 
glorified God, saying, A great prophet is risen 
up among us, and God hath visited his people. 

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost. 

Epist. Eph. iii. 13-21. — Brethren, I pray 
you not to faint at my tribulations for yon, 
which are your glory. For this cause I bow 
my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, of whom all paternity in heaven and 
earth is named, that he would grant you, ac- 
cording to the riches of his glory, to be 
strengthened by his Spirit with might unto 
the inward man. That Christ may dwell by 
faith in your hearts ; that being rooted and 
founded In charity, you may be able to com- 
prehend with all the saints what is the 
breadth, and length, and height, and depth. 
To know also the charity of Christ, which 
surpasseth all knowledge : that you may be 
filled unto all the fullness of God. Now to 



SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 95 

Mm who is able to do all things more abund- 
antly than we desire or understand, according 
to the power that worketh in us : to him be 
glory in the Church, and in Christ Jesus, un- 
to all generations, world without end. Amen. 

Gosf. Luke xiv. 1-11. — At that time, when 
Jesus went into the house of one of the 
chief of the Pharisees on the sabbath-day to 
eat bread, they watched him. And behold, 
there was a certain man before him that had 
the dropsy : and Jesus answering, spoke to 
the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful 
to heal on the sabbath-day ? But they held 
their peace : but he taking him, healed him, 
and sent him away. And answering them, 
he said, Which of you shall have an ass or an 
ox fall into a pit, and will not immediately 
draw him out on the sabbath -day ? And they 
could not answer him to these things. And 
he spoke a parable also to them that were in- 
vited, marking how they chose they first seats 
at the table, saying to them, When thou art 
invited to a wedding, sit not down in the first 
place, lest perhaps one more honorable than 
thou be invited by him ; and he that invited 
thee and him come and say to thee, Give 
this man place ; and then thou begin with 
shame to take the lowest place. But when 
thou art invited, go, sit down in the lowest 
place : that when he who inviteth thee cometh 
he may say to thee, Friend, go up higher ; 
then shalt thou have glory before them that 
sit at table with thee ; because every one that 
exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he 
that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 



06 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost. 

Epist. Epli. iv. 1-6. — Brethren, I, a prisoner 
in the Lord, beseech yon that yon walk worthy 
of the vocation in which yon are called. With 
all hnmility and mildness, with patience, sup- 
porting one another in charity, careful to keep 
the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. 
One body and one spirit, as yon are called in 
one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, 
one baptism. One God and Father of all, who 
is above all, and through all, and in us all, who 
is blessed forever and ever. Amen. 

Gosp. Matt. xxii. 35-46. — At that time, the 
Pharisees came to Jesus, and one of them, a 
doctor of the law, asked him, tempting him, 
Master, which is the great commandment of the 
law ? Jesus said to him, Thou shalt love the 
Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with 
thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind. This 
is the greatest and the first commandment. 
And the second is like to this : Thou shalt love 
thy neighbor as thyself. On these two com- 
mandments dependeth the whole law and the 
prophets. And the Pharisees being gathered 
together, Jesus asked them, saying, What 
think you of Christ ; whose son is he ? They 
say to him, David's. He saith to them, How 
then doth David, in spirit, call him Lord ; 
saying, The Lord saith to my Lord, Sit on my 
right hand, until I make thy enemies thy foot- 
stool ? If David then call him Lord, how is 
he his son ? And no man was able to answer 
him a word ; neither durst any man from that 
day forth ask him any more questions. 



NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 97 

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost. 

Epist. 1 Cor. i. 4-8. — Brethren, I give 
thanks to my God always for you, for the 
grace of God that is given you in Christ Jesus, 
that in all things you are made rich in him, 
in all utterance and in all knowledge, as the 
testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so 
that nothing is wanting to you in any grace, 
waiting for the manifestation of our Lord 
Jesus Christ. Who also will confirm you unto 
the end without crime, in the day of the com- 
ing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Gosp. Matt, ix 1-8. — At that time, Jesus 
entering into a boat, passed over the water, 
and came into his own city. And behold, they 
brought to him one sick of the palsy lying in 
a bed ; and Jesus seeing their faith, said to 
the man sick of the palsy, Be of good heart, 
son, thy sins are forgiven thee. And behold, 
some of the scribes said within themselves, 
He blasphemeth. And Jesus seeing their 
thoughts, said, Why do you think evil in your 
hearts ? whether is it easier to say, Thy sins 
are forgiven thee ; or to say, Arise, and walk ? 
But that you may know that the Son of man 
hath power on earth to forgive sins (then said 
he to the man sick of the palsy), Arise, take 
up thy bed, and go into thy house. And he 
arose, and went into his house. And the mul- 
titude seeing it, feared, and glorified God, who 
had given such power to men. 

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost. 
Epist. Eph. iv. 23-28.— Brethren, be ye re- 



98 



EPISTLES AXD GOSPELS. 



newed in the spirit of your mind, and put on 
the new man, who according to God is created 
in justice and holiness of truth. Wherefore, 
putting away lying, speak ye the truth every 
man with his neighbor, for we are members 
one of another. Be angry, and sin not. Let 
not the sun go down upon your anger. Give 
not place to the devil. He" that stole, let him 
now steal no more ; but rather let him labor, 
working with his hands the thing which is 
good, that he may have something to give to 
him that suffereth need. 

Gosp. Matt. xxii. 2-14. — At that time, Jesus 
spoke to the chief priests and the Pharisees 
in parables, saying, The kingdom of heaven 
is likened to a king, who made a marriage for 
his son : and he sent his servants, to call them 
that were invited to the marriage, and they 
would not come. Again he sent other ser- 
vants, saying, Tell them that were invited, 
Behold, I have prepared my dinner ; my beeves 
and fatlings are killed, and all things are 
ready ; come ye to the marriage. But they 
neglected : and went their ways, one to his 
farm, and another to his merchandise ; and 
the rest laid hands on his servants, and having 
treated them contumeliously, put them to 
death. But when the king had heard of it, 
he was angry ; and sending his armies, he 
destroyed those murderers, and burnt their 
city. Then he said to his servants, The mar- 
riage indeed is ready, but they that were in- 
vited were not worthy. Go ye therefore into 
the highways, and as many as you can find, 
call to the marriage. And his servants going 



TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. 99 

forth into the ways, gathered together all that 
they found, both bad and good ; and the mar- 
riage was filled with guests. And the king 
went in to see the guests ; and he saw there 
a man who had not on a wedding garment : 
and he saith to him, Friend, how earnest thou 
in hither, not having on a wedding garment ? 
but he was silent. Then the king said to the 
waiters, Bind his hands and feet, and cast him 
into the exterior darkness : there shall be 
weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are 
called, but few are chosen. 

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost. 

Epist. Eph. v. 15-21.— Brethren, see how 
you walk circumspectly, not as unwise, but 
as wise ; redeeming the time, because the 
days are eviL Wherefore, become not unwise, 
but understanding what is the will of God. 
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is 
luxury : but be ye filled with the Holy Spirit, 
speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns, 
and spiritual canticles, singing and making 
melody in your hearts to the Lord : giving 
thanks always for all things, in the name of 
our Lord Jesus Christ, to God and the Father ; 
being subject one to another in the fear of 
Christ. 

Gosp. John iv. 46-53. — At that time, there 
was a certain ruler whose son was sick at Ca- 
pharnaum. He having heard that Jesus was 
come from Judea into Galilee, went to him, 
and prayed him to come down, and heal his 
son ; for he was at the point of death. Jesus 



100 EPISTLES A2sT> GOSPELS. 



therefore said to him, Unless yon see signs 
and wonders, yon believe not. The ruler saith 
to Mm, Lord, come down before that my son 
die. Jesus saith to hini, Go thy way, thy son 
liveth. The man believed the word which 
Jesus said to him, and went his way. And as 
he was going down, his servants met him. and 
they brought word, saying, that his son lived. 
He asked therefore of them the hour wherein 
lie grew better. And they said to him. Yes- 
terday at the seventh hour the fever left him. 
The father therefore knew that it was at the 
same hour that Jesus said to him, Thy ?on 
liveth ; and himself believed, and his whole 
house. 

Twenty -first Sunday after Pentecost. 

Epist. Eph. vi. 10 - IT. — Brethren, be 
strengthened in the Lord, and in the might of 
his power. Put you on the armor of God, that 
you may be able'to stand against the deceits 
of the devil. For our wrestling is not against 
flesh and blood, but against principalities and 
powers, against the rulers of the world of this 
darkness. "against the spirits of wickedness in 
the high places. Therefore, take unto you 
the armor of God, that you may be able to re- 
sist in the evil day, and* to stand in all things 
perfect. Stand, therefore, having your loins 
girt about with truth, and having on the 
breastplate of justice, and your feet shed with 
the preparation of the gospel of peace ; in all 
things taking the shield of faith, wherewith 
you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts 



TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENT. 101 

of the most wicked one. And take unto you 
the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the 
spirit, which is the word of God. 

Gosr. Matt, xviii. 23-35. — At that time, 
Jesus spoke to his disciples this parable, The 
kingdom of heaven is likened to a king, who 
would take an account of his servants. And 
when he had begun to take the account, one 
was brought to him that owed him ten thou- 
sand talents : and as he had not wherewith to 
pay it, his lord commanded that he should be 
sold, and his wife and children, and all that 
he had, and payment to be made. But that 
servant falling down, besought him, saying, 
Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 
And the lord of that servant, being moved 
with pity, let him go ; and forgave him the 
debt. But when that servant was gone out, 
he found one of his fellow-servants that owed 
him a hundred pence ; and laying hold of him, 
he throttled him, saying, Pay what thou 
owest. And his fellow-servant falling down, 
besought him, saying, Have patience with me, 
and I will pay thee all. And he would not ; 
but went and cast him into prison till he paid 
the debt. Now his fellow-servants, seeing 
what was done, were very much grieved ; and 
they came and told their lord all that was 
done. Then his lord called him, and said to 
him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all 
the debt, because thou besoughtest me; should 
not thou then have had compassion also on 
thy fellow-servant, even as I had compassion 
on thee ? And his lord being angry, delivered 
him to the torturers until he paid.all the debt. 



102 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if 
you forgive not every one his brother from 
your hearts. 

Tioenty -second Sunday after Pentecost. 

Epist. Phil. i. 6-11. — Brethren, we are con- 
fident in the Lord Jesus, that he who hath 
begun a good work in you, will perfect it unto 
the day of Christ Jesus. As it is meet for me 
to think: this for you all, for that I have you 
in my heart, and that in my bands, and in the 
defense and confirmation of the gospel, you 
are all partakers of my joy. For God is my 
witness, how I long after you all in the bowels 
of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your 
charity may more and more abound in knowl- 
edge and in all understanding ; that you may 
approve the better things ; that you may be 
sincere and without offense unto the day of 
Christ ; filled with the fruit of justice, through 
Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of 
God 

Gosp. Matt. xxii. 15-21. — At that time, the 
Pharisees went and consulted among them- 
selves how to ensnare Jesus in his speech. 
And they sent to him their disciples, with the 
Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou 
art a true speaker, and teachest the way of 
God in truth, neither carest thou for any man, 
for thou dost not regard the person of men. 
Tell us, therefore, what dost thou think ? Is 
it lawful to give tribute to Csesar or not ? But 
Jesus knowing their wickedness, said, Why 
do you tempt me, ye hypocrites ? Show me 




TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENT. 103 

the coin of the tribute. And they offered him 
a penny. And Jesus saith to thern, Whose 
image and superscription is this ? They say to 
him, Caesar's. Then he saith to them, Render 
therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, 
and to God the things that are God's. 

Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost. 

Epist. Phil. iii. 17 to iv. 3. — Brethren, be 
followers of me, and observe them who walk 
so as you have our model. For many walk, of 
whom I have told you often ( and now tell you 
weeping), that they are enemies of the cross 
of Christ ; whose end is destruction, whose 
god is their belly, and whose glory is in their 
shame ; who mind earthly things. But our 
conversation is in heaven ; from whence also 
we look for the Saviour, our Lord J esus Christ, 
who will reform the body of our lowness, 
made like to the body of his glory, according 
to the operation whereby also he is able to 
subdue all things unto himself. Therefore, 
my dearly beloved brethren, and most desired, 
my joy and my crown : so stand fast in the 
Lord, my dearly beloved. I beg of Evodia, 
and I beseech Syntyche to be of one mind in 
the Lord ; and I entreat thee also, my sincere 
companion, help those women who have la- 
bored with me in the gospel with Clement and 
the rest of my fellow -laborers, whose names 
are in the book of life. 

Gosp. Matt. ix. 18-26— At that time, as 
Jesus was speaking to the multitudes, behold, 
a certain ruler came up, and adored him, say- 



104 EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



ing, Lord, my daughter is even now dead ; but 
come, lay thy hand upon her, and she shall 
live. And Jesus, rising up, followed him, 
with his disciples. And behold, a woman, 
who was troubled with an issue of blood 
twelve years, came behind him, and touched 
the hem of his garment. For she said within 
herself, If I shall touch only his garment, I 
shall be healed. But Jesus turning and see- 
ing her, said, Be of good heart, daughter, thy 
faith hath made thee whole. And the 
woman was made whole from that hour. And 
when Jesus was come into the house of the 
ruler, and saw the minstrels and the multi- 
tude making a tumult, he said, Give place ; 
for the girl is not dead, but sleepeth. And 
they laughed him to scorn. And when the 
multitude was put forth, he went in, and took 
her by the hand. And the maid arose. And 
the fame hereof went abroad into all that 
country. 

Twenty -fourth, or Last Sunday after Pentecost. 

Epist. Coloss. i. 9-14. — Brethren, we cease 
not to pray for you, and to beg that you may 
be filled with the knowledge of the will of 
God, in all wisdom and spiritual understand- 
ing ; that you may walk worthy of God, in all 
things pleasing, being fruitful in every good 
work, and increasing in the knowledge of God ; 
strengthened with all might according to the 
power of his glory, in all patience and long- 
suffering with joy ; giving thanks to God the 
Father, who hath made us worthy to be par- 



TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENT. 105 

takers of tlie lot of the saints in light ; who hath 
delivered us from the power of darkness, and 
hath translated ns into the kingdom of the Son 
of his love, in whom we have redemption 
through his blood, the remission of sins. 

Gosp. Matt. xxiv. 15-35. — At that time, 
Jesus said to his disciples, When you shall 
see the abomination of desolation, which was 
spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in 
the holy place (he that readeth, let him un- 
derstand), then they that are in J udea, let them 
flee to the mountains ; and he that is on the 
house-top, let him not come down to take any- 
thing out of his house ; and he that is in the 
field, let him not go back to take his coat. 
And woe to them that are with child, and that 
give suck in those days. But pray that your 
night be not in the winter, or on the sabbath ; 
for there shall be then great tribulation, such 
as hath not been from the beginning of the 
world until now, neither shall be : and unless 
those days have been shortened, no flesh should 
be saved ; but for the sake of the elect, those 
days shall be shortened. Then, if any man 
shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ, or there ; 
do not believe him : for there shall arise false 
Christs and false prophets, and shall show great 
signs and wonders, insomuch as to deceive 
(if possible) even the elect. Behold, I have 
told it to you beforehand : if, therefore, they 
shall say to you, Behold, he is in the desert, 
go ye not out ; Behold, he is in the closets, 
believe it not. For as lightning cometh out 
of the east, and appeareth even into the west, 
so shall also the coming of the Son of man be» 



108 EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 

Wheresoever the body shall be, there shall 
the eagles also be gathered together. And 
immediately after the tribulation of those days, 
the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall 
not give her light, and the stars shall fall from 
heaven, and the powers of heaven shall be 
moved ; and then shall appear the sign of 
the Son of man in heaven, and then shall all 
the tribes of the earth mourn ; and they shall 
see the Son of man coming in the clouds of 
heaven with much power and majesty ; and 
he shall send his angels with a trumpet and a 
great voice, and they shall gather together his 
elect from the four winds, from the farthest 
parts of the heavens to the utmost bounds of 
them. And from the fig-tree learn a parable : 
when the branch thereof is now tender, and 
the leaves come forth, you know that summer 
is nigh. So you also, when you shall see all 
these things, know ye that it is nigh, even at 
the doors. Amen, I say to you, that this gen- 
eration shall not pass till all these things be 
done. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but 
my word shall not pass away. 



COMMON OF SAINTS. 



Apostles and Evangelists. 

Less. Ecclus. xliv. 25 ; xlv. 29. — The bless- 
ing of the Lord was upon the head of the just 



APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS. 107 

man. Therefore the Lord gave him an inherit- 
ance and divided him his portion in twelve 
tribes ; and he found grace in the eyes of all 
flesh. He magnified him in the fear of his 
enemies, and with his words he made prodigies 
to cease. He glorified him in the sight of 
kings, and gave him commandments in the 
sight of his people, and showed him his glory. 
He sanctified him in his faith and meekness, 
and chose him out of all flesh. And he gave 
him commandments before his face, and a law 
of life and instruction : and he exalted him. 
He made an everlasting covenant with him, 
and girded him about with a girdle of justice : 
and the Lord crowned him with a crown of 
glory. 

Gosp. John xv. 12-16. — At that time, Jesus 
said to his disciples, This is my command- 
ment, that you love one another, as I have loved 
you. Greater love than this no man hath, 
that a man lay down his life for his friends. 
You are my friends, if you do the things that 
I command you. I will not now call you ser- 
vants ; for the servant knoweth not what his 
lord doth. But I have called you friends ; 
because all things whatsoever I have heard of 
my Father, I have made known to you. You 
have not chosen me, but I have chosen you ; 
and haye appointed you that you should go, 
and should bring forth fruit ; and your fruit 
should remain : that whatsoever you shall 
ask of the Father in my name, he may give it 
you. 

Less. Ezech. i. 10-14. — The likeness of their 
countenances was of four animals : there was 



108 EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



the face of a man, and the face of a lion on 
the right side of all the four ; and the face of 
an ox on the left side of all the four ; and the 
face of an eagle over all the four. And their 
faces and their wings were stretched upward : 
two wings of every one were joined, and two 
covered their bodies. And every one of them 
went straight forward : whither the impulse 
of the spirit was to go, thither they went ; 
and they turned not when they went. And 
as for the likeness of the living creatures, their 
appearance was like that of burning coals of 
fire, and like the appearance of lamps. This 
was the vision running to and fro in the midst 
of the living creatures, a bright fire, and light- 
ning going forth from the fire. And the living 
creatures ran and returned like flashes of 
lightning. 

Gosp. Luke x. 1-9. — At that time, the Lord 
appointed also other seventy-two : and he sent 
them two and two before his face into every 
city and place whither he himself was to come. 
And he said to them : The harvest indeed is 
great, but the laborers are few. Pray ye 
therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he 
send laborers into his harvest. Go : behold, 
I send you as lambs among wolves. Carry 
neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes ; and salute 
no man by the way. Into whatsoever house 
you enter, first say, Peace be to this house. 
And if the son of peace be there, your peace 
shall rest upon him ; but if not, it shall return 
to you. And in the same house remain, eat- 
ing and drinking such things as they have. 
For the laborer is worthy of his hire. Re- 



MAKTYR AND BISHOP. 109 

move not from house to house. And into 
what city soever you enter, and they receive 
you, eat such things as are set before you. 
And heal the sick that are therein, and say to 
them : The kingdom of God is come nigh unto 
you. 

Martyr and Bishop, 

Eptst. James i. 12-18. — Dearly beloved, 
blessed is the man that endureth temptation : 
for when he hath been proved, he shall re- 
ceive the crown of life, which God hath pro- 
mised to them that love him. Let no man, 
when he is tempted, say that he is tempted by 
God. For God is not a tempter of evils, and 
he tempteth no man. But every man is tempted 
by his own concupiscence, being drawn away 
and allured. Then when concupiscence hath 
conceived, it bringeth forth sin. But sin, 
when it is completed, begetteth death. Do not 
err, therefore, my dearest brethren. Every best 
gift, and every perfect gift, is from above ; 
coming down from the Father of lights, with 
whom there is no change, nor shadow of al- 
teration. For of his own will hath he begot- 
ten us by the word of truth, that we might be 
some beginning of his creature. 

Gosp. Matt. xvi. 24-27. — At that time, Jesus 
said to his disciples, If any man will come 
after me, let him deny himself, and take up 
his cross, and follow me. For he that will 
save his life, shall lose it : and he that shall 
lose his life for my sake, shall find it. For 
what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole 
world, and lose his own soul ? Or what ex- 



110 EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



change shall a man give for his soul? For 
the Son of man shall come in the glory of his 
Father with his angels ; and then will he ren- 
der to every man according to his works. 

One Martyr. 

Epist. Heb. xi. 33-39.— By faith they con 
qucred kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained 
promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 
quenched the violence of fire, escaped the 
edge of the sword, recovered strength from 
weakness, became valiant in battle, put to 
flight the armies of foreigners : women re- 
ceived their dead raised to life again. But 
others were racked not accepting deliverance, 
that they might find a better resurrection. 
And others had trial of mockeries and stripes, 
moreover also of bands and prisons. They 
were stoned, they were cut asunder, they were 
tempted, they were put to death by the sword, 
they wandered about in sheep-skins, in goat- 
skins, being in want, distressed, afflicted : of 
whom the world was not worthy ; wandering 
in deserts, in mountains, and in dens, and in 
caves of the earth. And all these being 
approved by the testimony of faith, in Christ 
Jesus our Lord. 

Gosp. Luke xxi. 9-19. — At that time, Jesus 
said to his disciples, When you shall hear of 
wars and seditions, be not terrified : these 
things must first come to pass, but the end is 
not yet presently, Then he said to them, 
Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom 
against kingdom. And there shall be great 



CONFESSOR AND BISHOP. Ill 

earthquakes in divers places, and pestilences, 
and famines, and terrors from heaven, and 
there shall be great signs. But before all 
these things they will lay their hands on you, 
and persecute you, delivering you up to the 
synagogues and into prisons, dragging you be- 
fore kings and governors for my name's sake. 
And it shall happen unto you for a testimony. 
Lay it up, therefore, in your hearts, not to 
meditate before how you shall answer. For I 
will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all 
your adversaries shall not be able to resist and 
gainsay. And you shall be betrayed by your 
parents, and brethren, and kinsmen, and 
friends, and some of you they will put to 
death. And you shall be hated of all men 
for my name's sake ; but a hair of your head 
shall not perish. In your patience you shall 
possess your souls. 

Confessor and Bishop. 

Less. Ecclus. xliv. 17 ; xlv. 20. — Behold, a 
great priest, who in his days pleased God, and 
was found just ; and in the time of wrath was 
made a reconciliation. There was not any 
found like to him, who kept the law of the 
Most High. Therefore by an oath the Lord 
made him increase among his people. He 
gave him the blessing of all nations, and con- 
firmed his covenant upon his head. He ac- 
knowledged him in his blessing : he preserved 
for him his mercy : and he found grace before 
the eyes of the Lord. He glorified him in the 
sight of kings, and gave him a crown of glory. 



112 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



He made an everlasting covenant with, him ; 
and gave him a great priesthood ; and made 
him blessed in glory. To execute the office 
of the priesthood, and to have praise in his 
name, and to offer him worthy incense for an 
odor of sweetness. 

Gosp. Luke xiv. 26-35. — -At that time, Jesus 
said to the multitudes, If any man come to 
me, and hate not his father, and mother, and 
wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, 
yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my 
disciple. And whosoever doth not carry his 
cross, and come after me, cannot be my disci- 
ple. For which of you having a mind to 
build a tower, doth not first sit down and reck- 
on the charges that are necessary, whether 
he have wherewithal to finish it ; lest after he 
hath laid a foundation, and is not able to fin- 
ish it, all that see it begin to mock him, say- 
ing, This man began to build, and was not 
able to finish. Or what king about to go and 
make war against another king, doth not first 
sit down, and think whether he be able with 
ten thousand to meet him that with twenty 
thousand cometh against him. Or else, whilst 
the other is yet afar off, sending an embassy, 
he desireth conditions of peace. So likewise 
every one of you that doth not renounce all 
that he possesseth, cannot be my disciple. (* v. 
34.) Salt is good ; but if the salt shall lose 
its savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It 
is neither profitable for the land nor for the 
dunghill, but shall be cast out. He that hath 
ears to hear, let him hear. 



VIRGIN AND MARTYR. 113 



Virgin and Martyr. 

Less. Ecclus. li. 1-12. — I will give glory to 
thee, O Lord my king, and I will praise thee, 
O God my saviour. I will give glory to tliy 
name : for thou hast been a helper and pro- 
tector to me, and hast preserved my body from 
destruction, from the snare of an unjust tongue, 
and from the lips of them that forge lies; 
and in the sight of them that stood by, thou 
hast oeen my helper ; and thou hast delivered 
me, according to the multitude of the mercy of 
thy name, from them that did roar, prepared 
to devour. Oat of the hands of them that 
sought my life, and from the gates of afflic- . 
tions which compassed me about. From the 
oppression of the name which surrounded me, 
and in the midst of the fire I was not burnt. 
From the depth of the belly of hell, and from 
an unclean tongue, and from lying words, from 
an unjust king, and from a slanderous tongue. 
My soul shall praise the Lord even to death : 
because thou, O Lord our God, deliverest 
them that wait for thee, and savest them out 
of the hands of the nations. 

Gosp. Matt. xxv. 1-13. — At that time, Jesus 
spoke to his disciples this parable : The king- 
dom of heaven shall be like to ten virgins, 
who, taking their lamps, went out to meet the 
bridegroom and the bride. And five of them 
were foolish, and five wise : but the five fool- 
ish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil 
with them, but the wise took oil in their ves- 
sels with the lamps. And the bridegroom 



114 



EPISTLES AND GOSPELS. 



tarrying, they all slumbered and slept : and 
at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the 
bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. 
Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their 
lamps : and the foolish said to the wise, Give 
ns of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. 
The wise answered, saying, Lest perhaps 
there be not enough for us and for you, go you 
rather to them that sell, and buy for your- 
selves. Now whilst they went to buy, the 
bridegroom came ; and they that were ready 
went in with him to the marriage, and the door 
was shut ; but at last came also the other vir- 
gins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us : but he 
answered, saying, Amen I say to you, I know 
you not. Watch ye, therefore, because you 
know not the day nor the hour. 



H 1 





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i! 



